Relations between Vatican and state ‘not very good’

An Irish bishop has said the relationship between the Vatican and the Government has been strained and that may have contributed to Pope Benedict XVI’s decision not to attend the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin this June.

Bishop of Kerry Dr Bill Murphy said relations between Church and state “are not very good” since last year’s speech by Taoiseach Enda Kenny denouncing the Holy See and Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore’s decision to close the embassy to the Vatican.

“That has caused a certain strain and I think it would be kind of difficult for the Pope to come in that atmosphere,” said Bishop Murphy.