Martin tries to build an honest future

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has not always enjoyed the unequivocal support of his colleagues in the Catholic hierarchy.

Neither has he always enjoyed the unanimous support of Irish Catholics. His efforts to modernise the structure of Irish Catholicism, or at least reach an honest accommodation with all of contemporary Ireland, have not always endeared him to the conservative, less compromising wing of his church. He has been occasionally isolated and forced to be more authoritarian than he might wish.

This was apparent when interpretations of how child protection measures should be followed varied from diocese to diocese. To his great credit he intervened, insisting that there was no longer any room for ambiguity and that agreed procedures had to be followed to the letter.