The Government has indicated that it is to continue to include the Taoiseach's partner, Ms Celia Larkin, as a co-host of State functions in defiance of criticism from within the State's two largest churches.
The Church of Ireland Primate, Dr Robin Eames, said yesterday that where future State receptions "with anything of a religious character" were concerned, invitations should be from "the Taoiseach and the Government".
However, a Government spokesman said that Mr Ahern's practice of the past four years was in line with precedent and would not change. Past Taoisigh had included their spouses on invitations and "therefore the Taoiseach decided his partner would go on them".
The spokesman said that the practice would continue despite controversy over Ms Larkin being a co-host of the State reception in honour of Cardinal Connell. Ms Larkin was not included in the welcoming group at the reception although the invitations were in the names of Mr Ahern and Ms Larkin.
The spokesman also insisted that the Taoiseach was not offended by Cardinal Connell's decision to refer in his speech at the reception to the Catholic Church's position on marriage. Mr Ahern had been "delighted to be able to honour the cardinal and had listened attentively to all elements of his speech", he said.
The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, said he felt the wording of the invitation was "insensitive" and had placed Cardinal Connell in a "very awkward position". None the less, he had "difficulty" with the comments of Dean MacCarthy, of St Patrick's Cathedral, while not disputing his right to make them.
Dr Eames pointed out that Dean MacCarthy spoke for himself but said that the Church of Ireland has always been "pastorally sensitive" where marriage breakdown was concerned.
Dean MacCarthy said last night that criticism being directed at him was "a case of shooting the messenger". He felt Dr Martin Mansergh's criticisms were "value judgments". To those who said he could not have attended the reception anyhow, since there was a pre-synod service in St Patrick's, he said he could have done so after the service.
Speaking at the General Synod in Dublin, Dr Eames said the absence of Church of Ireland bishops from the reception was due "quite honestly to a clash of dates". The bishops had a prior engagement in Dublin and had informed both the cardinal and the Taoiseach's office.
While Catholic priests have also criticised the Government's handling of the occasion, the Taoiseach received support yesterday from the Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, who said the events of Monday night had let down the cause of those seeking a "modern and pluralist Ireland".
Mr Quinn said that Ireland might one day have a gay or lesbian Taoiseach. "I would hate to think that would mean that the State could not celebrate in a dignified fashion moments of great import in any church."