Cardinal prays for renewal of faith in Ireland

Ireland without the Christian faith will not be a better place, "that is already becoming clear," Cardinal Seán Brady said last night at his first Mass in Ireland since he was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict at the weekend.

"Ireland with a humble, compassionate faith could be a beacon to the rest of the world of all that is truly human and truly good. I pray tonight for a renewal of that faith," he said in St Patrick's Cathedral Armagh.

"I pray also for the continued peace and prosperity of our country . . . they offer to this generation an unprecedented opportunity for hope," he said.

Reflecting on recent events, he said: "the last few days have been among the most extraordinary, the most privileged and the most joyful of my life. I have been carried along by an immense sea of goodness, by an unending stream of kindness and faith on the part of so many people."

He continued: "I have been quite simply bowled over and very humbled by the wave of goodwill and joy which has followed the news of the great honour Pope Benedict has bestowed, not so much on me but on the whole church in Ireland."

Speaking of the titular Church of St Cyricus and Julitta in Rome, assigned to him as cardinal, he said it contained the remains of Andrew Plunkett, nephew of St Oliver Plunkett. The church was close to the site of the former Irish College, he said, and may contain the tombs of its students "from the time when my grand-uncle, Fr Bernard Brady, former parish priest of Belturbet, was vice-rector of the college."

The church is near the Forum (next door to the Forum hotel) and the Arch of Titus.

The cardinal received a PSNI escort from the Border to Armagh where he was met by the mayor, Cllr Charles Rollston, local councillors and a parade. He was taken by open-top vehicle to St Patrick's Cathedral, flanked by scouts, members of the Order of Malta and the Knights of St Columbanus.

Also in the parade were brothers Tom and Frank McCabe of Camlough Silver Band, who led Cardinal Dalton into Armagh in 1953, Cardinal Conway in 1965, Cardinal Ó Fiaich in 1979, Cardinal Daly in 1991 and Cardinal Brady last night.

Among local church representatives were Dean Patrick Rooke and Rev John McKegney of the Church of Ireland, Rev Tony Davison of the Presbyterian Church, and Rev Heather Robb of the Methodist Church. Concelebrating last night's Mass with the cardinal were Bishop Gerard Clifford, Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh, and Bishop Seámus Hegarty of Derry diocese. Cardinal Cahal Daly also attended.