Papal Nuncio leaves Ireland without formal notice

THE Department of Foreign Affairs has not received any notice that the Papal Nuncio will be leaving Ireland, despite confirmation from Czech officials that he is due to move to Prague shortly.

Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, currently in Rome after a dramatic recall to the Vatican following the furore over the Cloyne Report, has only served three and half years here while his predecessors served six, five and seven years respectively.

The timing of his relocation, after the Government demanded that the Vatican respond to criticisms that it discouraged clergy from reporting allegations of child sex abuse, is not seen as coincidental, although the Department refused to make any direct link.