Beyond all this, in March 2010 the Holy
See set up a high-level apostolic visitation to Ireland involving, inter alia, Cardinals Cormac Murphy-O’Connor (Emeritus Westminster) and Sean O’Malley (Boston) together with Archbishops Collins (Toronto), Prendergast (Ottawa) and Dolan (New York). The visitation involves a number of Vatican departments, including the Secretariat of State, the Congregation for Catholic Education and the Congregation for Bishops. While there have been consultations with the Church, seminaries and religious communities in Ireland, inter- estingly there appears to have been no contact to date, formally or informally, with the civil authorities. A report is expected early next year. Additionally, there has been a long-standing
tradition of cooperation between Ireland and the Holy See on international affairs, not least because of the coincidence of foreign policy interests. Both give priority to aid for devel- oping nations, protection of the environment, peaceful resolution of disputes and human rights. The Holy See is active internationally – it has resident missions in 106 countries and is represented at most of the UN agencies. Irish and Holy See diplomats often find them- selves sharing information, for example, on the Middle East, where Irish troops are involved in a UN peacekeeping mission. It would not be helpful if this cooperation was lessened in any way.
reland’s decision also appears to be out of line with recent trends at the Holy See. Though two other resident missions have closed, a larger number have opened, including many Eastern European and some important Muslim states. In all, there are currently 78 countries represented at the Holy See by resident embassies. These include most European countries, as well as countries worldwide with overwhelming Catholic populations. Irish relations with the Holy See are clearly at a low point, but it is precisely for that reason that both sides should intensify rather than dilute their diplomatic activities. They have had resident diplomatic relations since 1929 and celebrated the 75th anniversary in 2004 with much ceremony, including a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano in the Basilica of St John Lateran, a two-day conference hosted by the rector of the Irish College in Rome and a beautifully produced book Celebrations at an Anniversary. No other Irish embassy has before or since marked any anniversary with such elaborate events. Politicians are inclined to the phrase, “We are where we are”. No doubt, the Irish Embassy to the Holy See will close as announced, but there are many in Ireland and in the Holy See who already look to the day when the relationship will be rebuilt to the point where once more an Irish ambassador will be residing at the Holy See.
I
■Seán Donlon is a former Secretary General of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and served as Irish Ambassador to the United States.
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12 November 2011 | THE TABLET | 13
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