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Catholic World News News Feature

Irish government slow to match bishops' invitation for papal visit November 16, 2004

Although the Catholic bishops of Ireland have invited Pope John Paul II to visit their country, the Irish government has not yet confirmed that invitation.

The Irish bishops asked John Paul II to return to Ireland in 2004, to mark the 25th anniversary of his first visit there. While he was unable to visit in 2004, Pope John Paul has reportedly accepted "in principle" the invitation to visit next year, although it is not clear that his health would allow the trip.

Irish foreign minister Dermot Aherne met with Pope John Paul on November 13, on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Holy See. But he did not announce a formal invitation to the Pontiff.

Irish diplomatic sources report that Aherne privately assured John Paul II that the government would be delighted with another papal visit. Official protocol for such a visit would require the bishops to make the first invitation, followed by the government. Vatican officials downplayed the significance of the government's silence to date, suggesting that a formal invitation could soon be forthcoming if plans for a papal visit advanced.