Dr Martin: US Cardinal 'not snubbing Taoiseach'

The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, has said he does not believe a senior clergyman in the United States is snubbing the Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Cardinal Archbishop Francis George has turned down an invitation to attend a dinner in Chicago at which Mr Kenny will be making an address, during his St Patrick's Day visit to America.

US media are reporting that the Cardinal is avoiding the event because of the Taoiseach's criticism of the Vatican and the decision to close the Irish embassy to the Holy See.

However, Dr Martin believes Francis George's decision to forgo the dinner is being misinterpreted.

Dr Martin said: "My diary from now until April, there is almost no space left in it and I have had to make decisions that could have been misinterpreted

"Sometimes you give the priiority to the person that invited you who may not be the most significant person in town that day."