Cathal BarryThe Defence Forces’ head chaplain has denied that political pressure played a role in the decision to have him replaced after 25 years of service.
Msgr Eoin Thynne, who is currently awaiting his new appointment from Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, insisted there is “no connection at all” between the two.
In 2014, the Defence Forces chief of staff was forced to apologise for any embarrassment caused to President Michael D. Higgins after Msgr Thynne commented on the absence of any reference to the Christian faith in the President’s Christmas message.
The experienced chaplain had also voiced concerns about the crib allegedly being removed from the Defence Forces headquarters in Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
Msgr Thynne insisted that such criticisms had “absolutely” nothing to do with him being replaced. “There is no connection there at all,” he told The Irish Catholic.
“I knew this day was going to come at some stage and I was surprised that I got so long to tell the truth. In fact, I thought I’d be gone five or six years ago. So it’s no surprise really.
“The archbishop spoke with me earlier in the year and I can see exactly where he is coming from because he is clustering parishes, he’s short of priests and there are plenty of chaplains who are well able to succeed me,” he said.
Msgr Thynne said that while he was “sorry” he would “miss” the 1916 centenary commemoration, his presence would have “no bearing” on the ceremony. “Whether I am there or not it wouldn’t make any difference to tell the truth.”
The army chaplain noted that while he has “no clue” what his new role might be, he believed it would be “something pastoral”.
“I am prepared to take whatever I get. That is the nature of the job. You go where you are sent and you do whatever you have to do,” he said.