The Papal visit – some personal thoughts

I recall one bright Saturday morning seeing a ‘Jumbo’ jet glide at low altitude over the Liberties escorted by a number of Irish airforce planes. It swooped in over the Phoenix Park where over a million people waved and shouted in joy and expectation. It was Saturday the 29^th September, 1979.  Many of my relations and friends, including my late parents, were there that morning. I was not there.

In the years and decades that followed, I made many journeys.  And so has Ireland.

In Limerick, the Pope said, among other things:

Ireland must choose. You the present generation of Irish people must decide; your choice must be clear and your decision firm…..This generation is once more a generation of decision…..May Ireland never weaken in her witness, before Europe and before the whole world, to the dignity and sacredness of all human life, from conception until death.

The Irish people did decide in 2018.

And here comes another Pope - very different in style, tone and emphasis to Pope John Paul II.  And he comes to a very different country battered by storms and scandals. A once confident – even arrogant – Church has been humbled. What was hidden in the dark has come to light and it shows a deep malaise. For all its goodness and truth, the Church – a body of weak and sinful people – is deeply, deeply wounded. 

There is something liberating about arriving in a modest Fiat 500 rather than by helicopter over the Phoenix Park. And it is certainly different to when the Papal legate arrived surrounded by cavalry from Dún Laoghaire to the Pro-Cathedral in 1932. The next time will it be by donkey?

Whatever one may think of the papacy (or indeed Christianity), times like these force a public discussion about matters of faith, church governance and much else.  The media and political establishment is right to take the Church authorities to task for its criminal handling of abuse in Ireland and abroad. Church authorities only have themselves to blame for this mess.  Yet, there is much that is true, beautiful, useful and good in the message of Christ and the witness of those who truly follow the wandering preacher from Galilee who continues to live in the hearts and minds of billions. For all its limitations, historical baggage and corruption, the Roman Catholic Church is part of something much, much bigger. It has much, still, to offer from its store of wisdom, diversity and goodness. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater!

What would I say to Pope Francis if I met him tomorrow when I will be in the Park?

I would say:

“Welcome back to Dublin, brother Jorge. Please, listen to the cries of your people seeking healing, justice, reform and voice. Act as Jesus would today in this place and do what it takes, in so far as you humanly can with God's help, to root out the evil that has been sown in the church.  And pray for me a sinner. That’s all”