Archbishop Charles J Brown Papal Nuncio to Ireland and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. Pic: Steve Humphreys Staff Reporter
The Pope’s representative in Ireland has said that revelations about scandals in the Church should trigger a “deeper conversion” within Irish Catholicism.
Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown said that “the life of the Church on this Earth is not the story of perfection, it is always a mixed story of triumph and failure; of saints and sinners; of debilitating scandals and radiant witnesses”. He was speaking at Mass to mark St Patrick’s Day in Newman’s University Church in Dublin.
However, he warned that “the fact that there is always a mixture of good and bad in the Church is not an excuse for complacency or resignation in the face of what is wrong. It rather should be for each of us a call to a deeper conversion – to embrace the fullness of the truth that [St] Patrick brought”.
Reflecting on the 1,500-year history of Christianity in Ireland, Dr Brown said that the message of Patrick remains central: that Christ is the path to God.
The Mass – which was televised by RTÉ – is expected to be one of the Nuncio’s last public engagements before leaving Ireland to take up his appointment as Papal Nuncio in Albania next month – a fact he referred to during the Mass in heartfelt words of gratitude.
Enthusiasm
“Sadly, for me, it’s my last St Patrick’s Day,” he said, saying that he looked forward to his posting in Albania with enthusiasm “because to be a nuncio is to be a missionary – sent by the Holy Father.
“I am sad to leave Ireland where I’ve made so many wonderful friends, and met so many fantastic people in every part of this beautiful island. So, to everyone in Ireland today, I want to say – without exception – a massive ‘thank you’.
“Thank you for the way you received and welcomed me in these years – you made me feel that I was at home, and I will never forget that.
God bless you – and please pray for me,” the Nuncio concluded to sustained applause from the congregation.