IRELAND
The Irish Times

PATSY McGARRY

RECONFIGURATION: CATHOLIC primate of All-Ireland Cardinal Seán Brady said the Irish Catholic Church had been looking at a reconfiguration of its 26 dioceses even before Pope Benedict announced the apostolic visitation to Ireland two years ago.

He said “that preceded the visitation” and that the Irish church had a committee which had “made some initial proposals”.

The church in Ireland did not want this reconfiguration “linked with the abuse issue”, he said.

However a new element in this matter was addressed in the summary, which stated that there should be “consultation” with the communities involved in affected dioceses.