Irish government won't reconsider closing Vatican embassy

February 15, 2012

Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Enda Kenny has said that his government will not reverse its decision to close the Irish embassy at the Holy See.

Responding to questions from lawmakers, Kenny insisted that the closing of the embassy was prompted by budgetary considerations rather than by quarrels between his government and the Vatican. He said that the embassy could be reopened in the future if conditions change.

Regarding the possibility that Pope Benedict XVI would be invited to visit Ireland this year to participate in the International Eucharistic Congress, which will be held in Dublin in June, Kenny said that if the Pontiff decides to make the trip, the government “will receive the Pope with proper decorum and respect of both his position and his status.”

However, Kenny did not move from his position that the government is not planning to issue an invitation to the Pope. Instead he said that the government would await “an indication of the intention of the Pope”—essentially signaling that the Pontiff should request an invitation.

 

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Further information:

• Taoiseach rejects calls to reverse Vatican embassy closure (Irish Examiner)
• Pope would be treated with respect on visit, Taoiseach tells Dail (Irish Independent)