Prelate welcomes new Good Friday practice

The Coadjutor Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev Diarmuid Martin, said yesterday he didn't know when he was likely to take over from Cardinal Desmond Connell as Archbishop of Dublin, nor when it was likely the Vatican would formally accept the Cardinal's resignation.

As is required of all bishops when they reach 75, Cardinal Connell sent his resignation letter to Rome in March 2001 when he reached that age. However, it is at the Vatican's discretion when it accepts such a letter.

Cardinal Connell was 78 last month, and it is widely expected that he will depart Archbishop's House in Drumcondra for his new home on Iona Road, Glasnevin, later this month or early next.

The Cardinal himself added to this speculation in his homily in Dublin's Pro-Cathedral last Thursday morning, which he said would be his last Chrism Mass.

The content of that homily had a strong "end of term" tone to it. He apologised for any offence he may have given and forgave any offence he had been subject to. He thanked in detail all bishops, clergy and laity who had been supportive of him in his work.

However, his resignation is unlikely to take place next week, traditionally seen as a break period for clergy. Besides, Archbishop Martin will be in Rome.

Speaking to The Irish Times in the Phoenix Park yesterday, as a "Way of the Cross" pageant was about to begin, Archbishop Martin expressed his satisfaction that such a practice, so traditional in other European Catholic cultures, as well as in South America and the Philippines, was taking place in Ireland. He said he wondered whether the absence of such practices generally in Ireland might be because of persecution in the past.

Commenting on the closure of shops and pubs for Good Friday, he said this was a reflection of a broader community belief as to how the day should be respected and was part of a deeper tradition in Ireland and throughout Europe. In Geneva, for instance, where he had worked until last year, there was greater austerity.

On recent comments by Bishop Bill Murphy of Kerry, concerning irregularly practising Catholics, he said such people had to arrive at a maturity of faith.

But he pointed out that it was often the case that young people getting married were at their lowest point where practice was concerned. This changed as they got older, he said.