Michael Kelly
Pope Francis often chides Christians who are “stingy” with God’s mercy, preferring instead to preach a Christianity that is burdensome. The Pope is certainly not stingy with mercy, nor is he stingy with his time. He devoted several hours to listening individually to survivors of clerical sexual abuse at the Vatican last week. But, it would appear, as far as his planned trip to Ireland in August is concerned someone is being stingy with the Pope’s time.
As papal visits go, the Irish trip is extremely unambitious. Short of turning it into a day-trip or a re-fuelling stopover on his way to another country, it’s hard to see how those responsible for advising on the itinerary could be so lacking in imagination.
The plan, as it would appear now, is to confine the Pontiff to Dublin. It’s a huge missed opportunity that everyone can see – everyone, that is, apart from those responsible for advising the Vatican about the visit to Ireland.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has expressed the concern that the Pope visiting the North of even Knock Shrine in Co. Mayo would deflect from the World Meeting of Families in Dublin – the Pope’s primary reason for coming. But, being stingy about the visit and the Pope’s itinerary also means that the trip will not be as meaningful and uplifting as it can be and should be. Given that Catholics from all across the island are also expected to foot the bill for the trip, it seems particularly mean-spirited and churlish to corral the Pontiff in Dublin.
Supportive
Those supportive of a very low-key and modest papal visit will point to the fact that the Pope is 81 years old. But, Francis shows no sign of slowing down – he maintains a frenetic schedule and exudes an energy that many men 20 years his junior would envy. On papal visits, the Pope is regularly ferried long distances to visit different parts of the country. In Ireland, where the landmass is so small, Francis could be anywhere on the island in a helicopter in less than an hour.
Proponents of the slimmed down visit also grumble that the Pope is here for the family event and people shouldn’t forget that. But this minimalist approach displays a lack of vision and a huge inability to see the historical significance of a trip to the North in terms of peace and reconciliation.
Without the change of heart, the Papal visit of 2018 will be successful – but not as successful as it could be. Unless consideration is given to a more ambitious programme – including the North and possibly Knock Shrine – it may well be remembered as the trip that didn’t go as badly as it could have. Given the shift in the Church towards the developing world and the fact that it may be centuries before another Pope visits Ireland, that would be almost unforgivable.
Michael Kelly is co-author of a new book with Austen Ivereigh How to Defend the Faith – Without Raising Your Voice – it is available from Columba Press – www.columbabooks.com