VATICAN CITY
The Daily Star (Lebanon)
Agence France Presse
VATICAN CITY: Ireland accredited a new envoy to the Vatican on Tuesday, three years after Dublin closed its embassy following a row over a sex abuse probe.
Emma Madigan was received by Pope Francis, the Vatican said in a statement. She also met the Vatican’s number two Pietro Parolin.
Madigan, who presented her credentials, invited the pontiff to visit Ireland, adding that while such an invitation would come from church authorities, the government would do everything “to make the visit a success,” Irish foreign ministry spokeswoman Fionnuala Quinlan said.
“Ambassador Madigan underlined that Ireland is a strong advocate for the freedom of religion or belief. The persecution of members of religious minorities, including Christians, in several parts of the world is a matter of serious concern to the Irish government,” Quinlan added.
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