Cardinal Connell – A tenure tinged with controversy

TO say controversy overshadowed the tenure of Cardinal Desmond Connell as Archbishop of Dublin would be an understatement.

No other member of the hierarchy served in more changing or more difficult times, or faced such scathing public criticism during an era dominated by the scandal of clerical sex abuse of children.

Three years after tendering his resignation at the age of 75, in accordance with Canon Law, it has finally been accepted by the Pope.

Inevitably, the archbishop’s tenure over the past 16 years will now come under the microscope. As a centralist and conservative churchman, he was highly regarded in Vatican circles and will remain on several powerful bodies in Rome. His unswerving defence of traditional family values, manifest in resolute opposition to divorce and abortion in Ireland, won him the admiration of the Pope.

Not noted as an ecumenist, his reputation was dented by a string of controversial references to the Protestant church. But it was his handling of sex abuse scandals involving priests which most sharply reflected his lack of touch with public opinion.

Open criticism of the cardinal’s stewardship was symbolic of the church’s waning influence in society. His resignation comes with Mass attendance in decline, vocations in free-fall, authority in question, and amid on-going inquiries into clerical sex abuse.

For 59-year-old Dr Diarmuid Martin, who becomes spiritual leader of over one million Dublin Catholics, the pastoral challenge could hardly be more daunting at a time when the Church in this country is facing an uncertain and difficult future.