The new papal nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Charles John Brown has pledged to do “everything in my power to solidify and strengthen the relations between the Holy See and Ireland”.
This was the message he gave to President Michael D Higgins when presenting his credentials at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
Mr Higgins asked the nuncio to convey to Pope Benedict “my best wishes and the best wishes of the people of Ireland”.
He added that there were “many areas of international policy” such as development, poverty and disarmament in which Ireland and the Holy See had “a shared view”.
Pointing out that “fruitful and uninterrupted” diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Vatican went back to 1929, the nuncio promised to devote “my wholehearted efforts to confirm and deepen this mutually beneficial and historic relationship”.
The President wished Archbishop Brown “every happiness and success” in his joint roles as representative of the Holy See and dean of the diplomatic corps in Ireland.
The Manhattan-born former monsignor has worked at the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 1994 and was ordained as titular Archbishop of Aquileia by Pope Benedict XVI on January 6th.
Since its decision last November to close the Irish embassy to the Vatican, the Government has nominated the secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, David Cooney, as non-resident ambassador.
