Cardinal spin
, will be created a cardinal next Saturday in Rome. It's not just a big day for the Catholic primate himself; it's also an historic day for the Irish church. For the first time, Ireland will have three living cardinals. But who should represent Northern Ireland at the Consistory on Saturday?
Clearly, it won't be the First Minister of Northern Ireland, since Dr Paisley has a few unresolved issues with Rome. Martin McGuinness, the Deputy First Minister, will be attending the Consistory; and the Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, will also be there. Mark Devenport has been reporting some gossip at Stormont: Martin McGuinness is understandably very keen to meet Pope Benedict, but rumour has it that he may only be able to meet the pope if he is designated as the British representative. This, I think, is a very unlikely scenario. The Vatican is blessed with some extremely creative theologians whose skills are usually employed dealing with complex questions about eucharistic metaphysics. I am certain that their combined intellectual weight is more than up to the task of getting Martin McGuinness into the presence of the pope without triggering a political crisis, an international incident, or a new passport for the Deputy First Minister.
Comments
William,
I am surprised you ( or anyone else for that matter in today's newspapers) didn't spot that Bishop Gerard Clifford, Archbishop Brady's (auxiliary bishop) actually recited a prayer for the Queen and Prince Philip at their 60th anniversary service in Westminster Abbey on Monday. He referred to our Sovereign Lady the Queen and prayed for Prince Charles also. I never thought I would see the day when an Irish Catholic bishop would do something like that. The times they are a changing. Wouldn't be nice for Martin McG to give words of welcome to the Queen when she makes that Dublin date, as she must. Good luck to Cardinal-elect Brady in Rome.
Stephen
Belfast
So Martin McGuinness was actually representing D.I.P. by proxy whether he likes it or not as they are joint at the hip in government as their title suggests, OFMDFM, their office is a political marriage of convenience or are they politically living in sin, so at this consistory D.I.P. was there by proxy. For some Free P’s Friday the 4th of January can’t come quick enough so that there is no theological compromise from their point of view. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?