Brady’s elevation - Papal visit would seal North peace

The announcement that Archbishop Seán Brady of Armagh is to be created cardinal at the next Vatican consistory on November 24 is warmly welcomed.

The 68-year old native of Co Cavan joins Cardinals Cathal Daly and Desmond Connell in the College of Cardinals.

The announcement by Pope Benedict XVI of 23 new cardinals will bring the number of cardinals to more than 200. The three Irish cardinals will the largest representation from this island at one time in history.

It is a reflection of Ireland’s standing within the church that a small island, with a comparatively tiny population in global terms, should have so many cardinals.

In the circumstances, the appointment of Archbishop Brady is a particular tribute to his standing within the Church.

Dr Brady succeeded as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland on the retirement of Cathal Cardinal Daly in 1996. In response to his appointment, the cardinal-elect quoted the Pope on the need to emphasise the “life giving and life enhancing” message of the Gospel while recognising the necessity to correct the negative views of Catholicism.

The challenges ahead are daunting, as the Catholic Church has undergone many changes in the past couple of decades. Too many people in society have apparently developed a confused sense of values, and there is a crying need for a renewal of proper values both from a social and a religious perspective.

Along with the announcement of Archbishop Brady’s appointment, there have been reports that Pope Benedict XVI is considering a visit to Ireland. This will evoke memories of the only other Papal visit of Pope John Paul II in 1979, which made a lasting impression, especially on young people, who are now middle-aged parents and even grandparents.

Few will ever forget the young people’s Mass at Galway Race Course. In recent years the image has been evoked of the Pope’s two cheerleaders on that occasion — Bishop Eamonn Casey and Father Michael Cleary. But it should be remembered that their failings were very human, and this should be an important reminder of the humanity of the Church itself.

When Pope John Paul II visited Ireland, he could not visit the North because of the sectarian tensions. This time it is hoped that Pope Benedict XVI will visit the North, which could have a profound impact in further cementing the peace process, especially at a time when religious tensions are poisoning relations between peoples in so many other parts of the world.

The North could become a beacon of hope. Within the past year we have witnessed some profound changes with startling symbolic gestures.

Ian Paisley is in government with Sinn Féin and has apparently developed an affable relationship with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. The combined Army and Garda bands played God Save the Queen at Croke Park without a murmur of disrespect, and Mr Paisley charged south to shake hands enthusiastically with the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in front of the cameras at the Boyne.

Many thought they would never live to see any of those things. A remaining gesture, which would complete the Grand Slam of symbolic gestures, would be to have Mr Paisley welcome the Pope to the North. Then the world will know that Ireland has come of age.