Ireland: Benedict XVI a teacher to the very end

(Vatican Radio) “We recall with immense gratitude his great affection towards Ireland”, noted Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, as he reflected with Emer McCarthy on how Benedict XVI’s pontificate impacted the Irish Church. Listen:

Pope Benedict may have never made it to Ireland, but there can be little doubt that Ireland, the faith of the nation and its people, intensely engaged this pontificate. There was his unprecedented convoking of the entire bishops conference in 2010, in the wake of the revelations of the depth of the abuse scandal within the Irish Church, and his Pastoral letter to Irish Catholics.

“We met to discuss the abuse crisis” says Cardinal Brady “and of course there was the great honour he did Ireland in writing the Pastoral Letter, I think the Chinese people were the only other people to receive such an honour. He chartered the way forward for the Church in Ireland and advised us on what to do”.

Doubtlessly, Pope Benedict’s choice of Dublin to host the 50^TH International Eucharistic Congress in June 2012, was part of the process of healing and renewal for the Church and society.

Cardinal Brady notes: “My last meeting with the Holy Father was on the 15th of November at the end of the plenary of the Pontifical Council for Unity when we both rejoiced over the success of the International Eucharistic Congress [held in Dublin, Ireland, June 2012 – ed]. I think it was a great act of trust that he entrusted that Congress to Ireland, to Dublin”.

Again the Holy Father’s concern for the future of the Church was evident in his appointment of New York native Archbishop Charles Brown as Apostolic Nuncio to Dublin. The young theologian had formerly been an official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, rather than a career diplomat. He had also worked under Pope Benedict when he was head of CDF.

But Pope Benedict XVI’s interest in Ireland went beyond current difficulties and future challenges.

Cardinal Brady points out that as a teacher and theologian at heart, Pope Benedict was also fascinated by Ireland’s legacy of missionary saints: “One of his Wednesday audiences he devoted to Saint Columbanus. In fact the arrangements were being made to present to the Secretary of State a petition to have Saint Columbanus declared a patron saint of Europe, but that will have to be put on hold for the moment”.

The Primate of Ireland concludes: “The biggest legacy of all is his teaching, the example of his life, dedication to the end and then this courageous decision to step aside. This is typical of the man, not thinking of himself but primarily of the Body of Christ”.

And then of course, there is the one great legacy that Ireland will always have from this pontificate, a prayer for the nation penned by the Pope:


Prayer for the Church in Ireland

God of our fathers,
renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,
the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal,
the charity which purifies and opens our hearts
to love you, and in you, each of our brothers and sisters.
Lord Jesus Christ,
may the Church in Ireland renew her age-old commitment
to the education of our young people in the way of truth and goodness, holiness and generous service to society.
Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate and guide,
inspire a new springtime of holiness and apostolic zeal
for the Church in Ireland.
May our sorrow and our tears,
our sincere effort to redress past wrongs,
and our firm purpose of amendment
bear an abundant harvest of grace
for the deepening of the faith
in our families, parishes, schools and communities,
for the spiritual progress of Irish society,
and the growth of charity, justice, joy and peace
within the whole human family.
To you, Triune God,
confident in the loving protection of Mary,
Queen of Ireland, our Mother,
and of Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid and all the saints,
do we entrust ourselves, our children,
and the needs of the Church in Ireland.
Amen.