Ireland: Papal Nuncio presents credentials

Pope Benedict XVI wishes to "solidify and strengthen" relations between Ireland and the Holy See, according to the new Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Charles J. Brown.

Archbishop Brown formally presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, on Thursday. The Irish government was represented at the ceremony in the President’s Palace, known as Áras an Uachtaráin, by Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore in his capacity as minister for Foreign Affairs and David Cooney, secretary-general at the Department.

Archbishop Brown was accompanied by the Fr. Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano, the first secretary at the Nunciature in Dublin. Archbishop Brown arrived in Ireland in January, following his Episcopal ordination in St Peter’s Basilica on the Feast of the Epiphany, presided over by Pope Benedict XVI.

President Michael D Higgins asked the Papal Nuncio to convey his best wishes and the best wishes of the people of Ireland to Pope Benedict.