Mags GarganTributes have been paid to the former Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, “a just, holy, prayerful man, aware of his own failings” who died peacefully on Tuesday at the age of 90.
Born in Dublin in 1926, and ordained by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid in 1951, Cardinal Connell would go on to become a prominent figure in Catholic teaching, not least during his tenure with the Department of Metaphysics at University College Dublin.
His lack of pastoral experience did little to affect his later nomination and subsequent elevation as Archbishop of Dublin in 1988, though it would inevitably be cited in connection with his handling of the clerical abuse scandals that became the defining feature of his tenure.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin recalling Cardinal Connell’s work on the abuse scandals in Dublin said: “He was the one person who began to change things. At the start, he had no idea of the extent of the problem. He was the one who tried to understand that.”
Child protection
Dr Martin said he was grateful to Cardinal Connell for being the one who established the child protection services in the archdiocese of Dublin.
Abuse survivor Marie Collins, who met on numerous occasions with Cardinal Connell during the period covered by the Murphy report said: “He was a man of his time, we had our differences, I hope he rests in peace. My condolences to his family.”
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All-Ireland, expressed his sorrow and described Cardinal Connell as “a gentle and holy priest who was dedicated to his priestly and episcopal calling”.
Rev. Damian Mc Neice, Master of Ceremonies in the Dublin archdiocese said in a personal reflection on the cardinal’s life: “His brother priests in Dublin are aware of his pastoral kindness to many and of his deep integrity, even to the point of scrupulousness, a trait and sensitivity that could be misunderstood and misconstrued.”
Cardinal Connell passed away peacefully on 21 February after a long illness. His remains will arrive at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin on Thursday, February 23, at 7pm where he will repose until 9pm. His funeral Mass will take place on Friday, February 24 at 11am.