IRELAND
The Irish Catholic
Michael Kelly and Cathal Barry
Speculation is mounting among senior Dublin clergy that Archbishop Diarmuid Martin may be set for a swift move to Rome for a senior position in the Vatican.
The combination of some surprise recent appointments in Dublin, and the positioning of close friends of the archbishop’s in Pope Francis’ inner circle is fuelling speculation that a move to a prestigious Rome-based job may be on the cards.
A number of senior sources within the Dublin archdiocese, including in Archbishop’s House, have told The Irish Catholic that there is a growing sense that Dr Martin will be called to Rome to run a Vatican department, possibly within weeks.
The appointment of Bishop Eamonn Walsh as Vicar for Clergy, as revealed in this newspaper last week, is being seen as an indication that Archbishop Martin is keen to leave a safe pair of hands in Dublin despite previous tension between the two men.
The Irish Catholic can also reveal that the archbishop has asked a key aide to stay on, despite previously having announced that he would take up a parish appointment. Msgr Lorcan O’Brien, Moderator of the Curia and a close confidant of Archbishop Martin, had announced that he would move on from Archbishop’s House this autumn. However, that decision was reversed at the last minute and Msgr O’Brien will now stay on in his key administrative role for at least another year.
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