Dr Martin to get top Curia position in Vatican reshuffle

The Archbishop of Dublin is reportedly set to return to the Vatican later this year to take up a senior position with the Catholic Church's main administration body.

Reports this morning said Dr Diarmuid Martin would be appointed to a senior position in the Curia as part of reforms being undertaken by Pope Benedict XVI.

Informed sources have reportedly indicated that he will be replaced as Archbishop of Dublin by his deputy, Bishop Eamonn Walsh.

Media speculation in recent weeks had claimed Dr Martin was set to be appointed as a cardinal, but he was not among the 15 new cardinals named by the Pope earlier this week.

This morning's reports said he would instead take up a senior Curia position, possibly as the head of the Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue or the Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.