Vatican rift - Embassy closure not supported

IT appears a seismic shift is taking place in Irish attitudes to the Holy See.

This groundbreaking trend is reflected in contrasting public reactions to major rifts between the Government and Rome in recent times.

As today’s report clearly shows, even though the Taoiseach’s attack on the role of the Church in Ireland’s ongoing scandal of child abuse was loudly applauded, the Government’s decision to close the embassy to the Vatican has encountered vociferous opposition.