The papal visits - Would we welcome Benedict?

WHEN Pope John Paul II visited Ireland in the middle of autumn 31 years ago the welcome was absolute, the joy considerable and genuine.

John Paul’s youth Mass held, like another benchmark Irish event, at Galway’s Ballybrit racecourse, seemed a moment of triumph. Now that celebration is tarnished by the fact that four of its central figures – Archbishop Marcinkus, Bishops Casey and Magee and Fr Cleary – are seen in a different, far less flattering light today. Their downfall is a fair analogy for the plight of modern Catholicism.

In 1979 there was no significant dissent. Official Ireland and public Ireland were as one in their enthusiasm to roll out the red carpet. Those who felt uncomfortable – yes, there were many – with the euphoria sweeping our Republic stayed quietly in the shadows, waiting for the moment to pass. However, the over-riding feeling was one of joy, welcome and great excitement at the prospect of having one of the great men of the age amongst us. What would his successor Benedict give for a such a welcome in Glasgow today?