Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has called Pope Francis a “real pastor,” who lives simply, cares for the sick and poor and keeps his distance from the military and Government.
Martin spoke to Cardinal Bergoglio at several synods, assemblies of bishops in the Roman Catholic Church. They spoke about the difficulties and challenges the Church in Ireland faced due to the sexual abuse crisis.
“He said very explicitly ’your challenges in Dublin, my challenges in a large city like Buenos Aires are very similar’ so his interest is being a pastor,” Martin told RTÉ.
“He was extraordinarily supportive.”
The Dublin Archbishop added that the pope’s choice of the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi, was “a clear indication that he has a very particular view of what the church and simplicity and poverty is about.”
Martin said the fact that the 155 cardinals chose a new pope from South America was an indication of where the Catholic Church was going.
Speaking from Rome, New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan, told “Today” on NBC that Pope Francis greeted his fellow cardinals “as brothers” and said the decision inside the conclave was a consensus.
Dolan said, “We cardinals noticed some things immediately that he was doing differently.”
When asked to address the cardinals from a raised platform after his election, he told the group, “No, I’m standing down here.” Dolan said, “So he greeted each of us as brothers, literally on the same level as we were...He got back on the bus with us, like he had been doing for the whole conclave.”
He said, “Those are little signs that send signals.”
Back in Ireland President Michael D Higgins conveyed his best wishes to the new pope. He said, “Despite the pressures and distractions of a more complex world, people all over the globe still yearn for a sense of spiritual meaning to their lives.
“Your leadership of the church will therefore be of immense importance in providing ethical guidance and moral encouragement towards a world that is more just, more compassionate and more focused on a shared sense of community.
“While your election to this challenging ministry of service brings great personal responsibilities, I sincerely hope it will also offer opportunities for peace and joy as you carry out your duties in solidarity with the wider church community.”
Similarly, Enda Kenny, leader of Fine Gael and the head of Ireland’s government said the election of Pope Francis symbolizes great hope for the Catholic people around the world.
He said, “On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I offer warm congratulations to Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on his election as Pope Francis.
“He has the best wishes of all Irish people, of all traditions, as he undertakes the immense responsibility of his pontificate.
“We pray that he will have the strength, the good health and the spiritual guidance needed to lead the Catholic Church in the many challenges it faces.”
Kenny also referenced Ireland’s strong ties to Argentina dating back to the mass emigration during the Irish Famine. He said, “The people of Ireland also send our congratulations to the people of Argentina, a country with which Ireland shares many historic bonds, on this occasion of great honour and pride for their nation.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.EamonnDublin | Mar 16, 2013, 09:03 AM EDT
Why does anybody bother to respond to "AngloNorman"? Just let him rant away, and take no notice. Éamonn, Dublin.
Collette2 | Mar 15, 2013, 11:46 PM EDT
Well he ought to, as a bishop he would certainly have a few experiences under his mitre no counntry has been immune. The St Francis connection is a smart political move.
jimgordo1 | Mar 15, 2013, 09:11 PM EDT
As far as Francis having helped the various junta(s) -- well the government had him exiled to the boonies because he was such a pain in the ass. JP2 prevailed on the Argentine govt to bring him back to Buenos Aries. Then JP2 make him bishop and archbishop. As far as deacons marrying -- married men can become deacons, but if they are widowed, they cannot remarry without the bishop's permission however, if they do remarry without permission, they are defrocked. I know that from personal experience -- it happened to a good friend of mine. As far as deacons marrying, for the most part they are usually married men in their 50s and 60s with grown children and have no need to marry. Once ordained, a deacon, no more than a priest, cannot marry without the bishop's permission. The only young deacons I know of are transitional deacons (seminarians).
anglo-norman | Mar 15, 2013, 08:40 PM EDT
I wouldn't trust Martin as far as I'd throw him.
howareya | Mar 15, 2013, 07:12 PM EDT
Eschetic, you have no clue what it was like in Argentina back then unless you lived through it. Did you know that our new Pope also smuggled people to safety and gave them his papers and passport. He also urged them not to place themselves in harms way. You have no idea what the repercussions to the church would have been if he had of been more outspoken. But let's keep digging more dirt up that we can throw at him. I'm sure we can find something! And of course, I'm sure your past life is perfect. Give the guy a chance! He's only been pope for two days!
seanomelb | Mar 15, 2013, 06:48 PM EDT
Does Martin live in the bishops palace in Dublin?? Does walk among the poor or ride a bus to work?? I doubt it.
flyoffthewall | Mar 15, 2013, 04:51 PM EDT
Martin said the fact that the 155 cardinals chose a new pope from South America was an indication of where the Catholic Church was going. Where is it going? Keep on licking and you'll get the red hat.
Will Hamilton | Mar 15, 2013, 01:17 PM EDT
And the new CEO is going to throw open all the Church records on child raping priests, make sure ever cleric who engaged in the cover up faces justice and is going to fire the wall to wall layers every country.....yeah right!
phinsman | Mar 15, 2013, 12:41 PM EDT
I am hoping that the new pope will remove celibacy and remove not being able to marry from priests and nuns. This is an absolutely archaic approach to life.
Eschetic | Mar 15, 2013, 12:10 PM EDT
The whole world (or the better part of it) is praying that the new Pontiff will provide the leadership the Church needs in troubled times, and there may be reason for reasoned hope that he may be a good person to sort through the scandals wracking the Curia and advancing the cause of equality for the women who have ALWAYS played a pivotal role in the Church, but if Dublin's Archbishop Martin honestly believes that the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires "keeps his distance from the military and Government", he should perhaps look a little more closely at the all too well documented charges of his role in pulling clergy OUT of working with the poor and contributing to their persecution at the behest of the junta(s) during Argentina's years or internal strife...a role recently confirmed not only by the charges of his own imprisoned clergy but by the government's records. We continue to pray that Pope Francis rises to his new position, but given his years as a leading spokesman for the most conservative positions within the Church, those prayers are made with eyes figuratively wide open as to what we must expect absent Divine inspiration.
johnbyrne | Mar 15, 2013, 11:43 AM EDT
A QUESTION TO YOU YOUR GRACE. IF FRANCIS UNDERSTANDS DOES THAT MEAN THE OTHER GUY WAS WINGING IT