Priests are the ‘unsung heroes’ of Irish Church

Papal Nuncio inspired by dedicated parish clergy around the country

Irish priests are the “unsung heroes” of the Church in Ireland, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown has said.

Speaking to The Irish Catholic ahead of meetings in Rome this week to brief Pope Francis about the Church here, Archbishop Brown said that he had been “very inspired” by meeting priests on his travels around Irish parishes.

“For me, to be in contact with the priests in their parishes – seeing them where they work, meeting them with their people – is incredibly gratifying and beautiful for me and very helpful for me in learning about Ireland and learning about the situation on the island and giving them the opportunity to talk to me informally”.

Dr Brown said: “Priests in their parishes are the unsung heroes of the Church in Ireland – these amazing priests, working hard, bringing the sacraments to their people, bringing the light, love and mercy of Christ to those around them”.

“The example of pastorally-minded and heroic priests is a huge source of encouragement for me,” the archbishop said.

Young people

He also said that he was heartened to meet many young people who are working to bring the Gospel to their peers. “This has been incredible to see, sometimes there are people who roll their eyes and say the young people are lost to the Church, or we’re not reaching out to young people enough. We can always do better, but there are many young people involved in the Church and engaged with their faith,” he insisted.

Overall, the Papal Nuncio said he was optimistic about the future: “I don’t think the recent difficulties of the Church in Ireland should be a cause for despair.

“The history is so much more, so much longer, so much more powerful than any crisis.

“There have been crises in the past, there will probably be crises in the future, but I believe that the Faith continues,” he said.