Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin should replace Pope Benedict as pope writes Catholic commentator and author Michael D’Antonio in the Los Angeles Times.
In an op-ed piece in the influential newspaper, D’Antonio says “The lowest point in the (church) crisis came with Ireland's outraged response to revelations of sexual abuse by priests and the cover-up orchestrated by the hierarchy. In 2011, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny decried "the dysfunction, disconnection, elitism, the narcissism that dominate the culture of the Vatican to this day."”
D’Antonio says only one cleric took the side of the people against the powerful in Ireland’s crisis. “Amid the crisis, only one Irish bishop, Diarmuid Martin, approached the angry and the disillusioned with the kind of humility required.”
Martin, he says "symbolically washed the feet of abuse victims and noted the futility of a "faith built on a faulty structure," by which he meant the rule of ordained men. "The narrow culture of clericalism has to be eliminated," he declared. "It did not come out of nowhere, and so we have to address its roots from the time of seminary training onwards."”
Read more: Dramatic scenes as Archbishops wash abuse victim’s feet
D’Antonio says Martin is no heretic but a humble priest who now deserves the top job.
“This Martin is no Martin Luther. He supports the morality preached from Rome, including its opposition to abortion. These positions might bother anyone looking for rapid change in the church, but they should reassure the orthodox and make it possible for him to be considered a worthy successor of retiring Pope Benedict XVI. In addition, he's a son of the land that has historically given more priests and nuns to the church, per capita, than any on Earth.”
D’Antonio notes that “Ireland supplied the priests and the basic culture of Catholicism in America in the 19th and 20th centuries. For better or worse, it was the Irish style of belief and behavior that predominated, especially in big cities and Catholic schools, including Notre Dame University. More recently, one often finds Irish (or Irish American) priests and nuns doing the tough work of serving the poor and standing up to repressive regimes. For this reason, the radical priest in our imaginations, as well as the renegade sister, typically have Irish names.”
D’Antonio says if Martin were chosen it would signal a renewal in the church.
“His choice to replace the caretaker Benedict would bring the possibility of renewal to the church in the West, including former strongholds like Ireland, and signal a recognition that today's crisis won't be resolved with yesterday's perspective.”
Read more: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin sheds tears on "60 Minutes" describing meeting victims of clerical abuse
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.anglo-norman | Feb 16, 2013, 03:28 PM EST
thetint-RESPECT. This Martin guy is not to be trusted. Anyone out of that dispicable corporation should NOT be trusted...
Smyrnian | Feb 16, 2013, 02:57 PM EST
Rose - you said 'men have no rights on claims of a woman's body. if you want children you have them'. Similarly, a woman has no rights on claims to a baby's body.
mcdolan | Feb 16, 2013, 04:48 AM EST
While I don't agree 100% with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, I whole-heartedly support him as the best candidate for Pope, even if he's not a cardinal. This is an excellent op-ed piece, well worth reading.
thetint | Feb 16, 2013, 03:52 AM EST
Martin has nothing to offer. Every time he gives one of his mealy mouthed ‘apologies’ he starts adding caveats the next day. How many priests did he fire, remove, report to the police? None.
warlocks | Feb 16, 2013, 02:37 AM EST
As an X Roman Catholic I WOULD WELCOME a fresh breeze into the church by Electing an Irish Pope. maybe Martin would clean up the corruption & Sins of the church Fathers. Its time to bring the church into the 21 st century and get all the pedophile.s out of Gods House
CitizenWhy | Feb 15, 2013, 08:36 PM EST
Fat chance. ... But if he is chosen he will need a series of operations to remove the knives from his back.
TomSwinford | Feb 15, 2013, 07:42 PM EST
mreinhar2001, your rebuke was deserved. My comment on Mass was gratuitous, adding nothing of substance to the matter being discussed. My apologies.
anglo-norman | Feb 15, 2013, 07:07 PM EST
I wouldn't trust that bozo Martin as far as I'd throw him.
jacersagain | Feb 15, 2013, 05:11 PM EST
SeamusMor, 12.35pm today - Of course!!! - How could we have missed “the sign” when Pope Benedict started his pastoral visit to the UK in Scotland a few years ago with Keith Cardinal O’Brien beside him!! Not only is Keith a very Holy and wholly-Christian man, born in Northern Ireland and raised in Scotland by devout Irish Catholic parents, but he’s also a qualified Scientist, well-learned in that profession, well capable of promulgating the inexplicable science of Christ’s Miracles, including those happening in our present-day world and he’s well-travelled to and from other countries. Cardinal O’Brien is also known for being, Christ-like, out-spoken on behalf of marginalised people – those who are poor, LGBT- and prostitution- leaning people, divorced men and women, women who’ve had abortions and especially on behalf of human rights. He, like Archbishop Martin of Dublin, could be the “we-of-the-peoples’ choice” of being “Our Man in Rome” by the grace of God. Whomever is asked by the majority vote within the Cardinals’ enclave to “accept THIS RESPONSIBILITY”, whether whoever that is, within or without the College of Cardinals, to take on the burden of being our next Pope, I will accept his election and honour The Holy Spirit’s Wisdom of choice.
jacersagain | Feb 15, 2013, 04:14 PM EST
While the College of Cardinals will be burdened, “enclavé” (i.e. locked in commune with each other and the Holy Spirit of Wisdom) with the huge responsibility of electing the next Pope of the Whole Christian Church, and will do so in prayer for guidance before the Holy Spirit of Wisdom present in the Holy Trinity of the Eucharist, we billion plus Catholics should also pray for the Holy Spirit of Wisdom to guide our Cardinals’ wisdom on behalf of our RCC world-wide community, not the stupidity of the gambling community’s odds.
rose528 | Feb 15, 2013, 02:53 PM EST
men have no rights on claims of a woman's body. if you want children you have them
rose528 | Feb 15, 2013, 02:53 PM EST
men have no rights on claims of a woman's body. if you want children you have them
rose528 | Feb 15, 2013, 02:53 PM EST
men have no rights on claims of a woman's body. if you want children you have them
rose528 | Feb 15, 2013, 02:53 PM EST
men have no rights on claims of a woman's body. if you want children you have them
joan1954 | Feb 15, 2013, 02:15 PM EST
Look you the College of Cardinals are in conclave and they will choose one of their own and Martin while I agree with th writer to a point is not a Cardinal.
pilib04 | Feb 15, 2013, 01:08 PM EST
SeamusMor, I think St. Patrick's Day is doubtful. The Conclave cannot begin at the earliest until March 15th. I would guess, that a Conclave beginning on the 18th or 19th is more likely. However, if it is any early beginning, then the possibility of an Irish Pope (timed to the 17th) has a chance. Although the front runners are usually not electable, rarely is it a dark horse. Roncalli was different because the make up of the conclave was unusual and Angelo Roncalli was the compromise.
mreinhar2001 | Feb 15, 2013, 01:05 PM EST
Oh, one more thing i remembered: Cardinal Archbishop Christoph Schönborn of Vienna also has an Irish great-great-great-grandmother, Lady Selina Meade (1797–1872), the daughter of Richard Meade, 2nd Earl of Clanwilliam (1766–1805). After the marriage, she was known as the Countess of Clam-Martinic.
pilib04 | Feb 15, 2013, 01:03 PM EST
Second Attempt to post: Michael D'Antonio and the "Irish Staff Writers" must be writing about some other Catholic Church. Certainly not the self-serving, pedophile protecting, self-centered, misogynist cardinals (did I say Greedy) of the Catholic Church that I still belong to. No way, No how! Besides, to the best of my knowledge Archbishop Martin is not a Cardinal and although not a prerequisite for the Papacy, it certainly has been a tradition over the past 750 year (Urban VI).
mreinhar2001 | Feb 15, 2013, 12:58 PM EST
@TomSwinford: Instead of attending any mass in any vernacular and then claiming "Is that all there is." you need to study the meaning of the mass and figure out your role in it.
mreinhar2001 | Feb 15, 2013, 12:58 PM EST
@TomSwinford: Instead of attending any mass in any vernacular and then claiming "Is that all there is." you need to study the meaning of the mass and figure out your role in it.
pilib04 | Feb 15, 2013, 12:57 PM EST
Michael D'Antonio and the "Irish Staff Writers" must be writing about some other Catholic Church. Certainly not the self-serving, pedophile protecting, self-centered, misogynist cardinals (did I say Greedy) of the Catholic Church that I still belong to. No way, No how! Besides, to the best of my knowledge Archbishop Martin is not a Cardinal and although not a prerequisite for the Papacy, it certainly has been a tradition over the past 750 year (Urban VI).
mreinhar2001 | Feb 15, 2013, 12:42 PM EST
Unlike the title of this article suggests, I do not believe that just ANY Irish clergyman should be considered popeable. The disgust for people in other countries expressed in SOME of the posts here makes that questionable and would be inappropriate in a leader of the People of God. That said, I do agree with the content of the article that Archbishop Diarmuid Martin might prove to be what we the people need right now. Knowing, though, that he who goes into the conclave a pope, comes out a cardinal (ie, don't plan on anything). I believe that Cardinal Archbishop Marc Ouellet of Quebec and Cardinal Archbishop Christoph Schönborn of Vienna are also viable candidates.
SeamusMor | Feb 15, 2013, 12:35 PM EST
Keith Cardinal O'Brien, born in Ireland,Archbishop of Edinburgh and St. Andrews, will be elected to fill the shoes of the fisherman on his birthday, March 17
DrMcHugh | Feb 15, 2013, 11:33 AM EST
Having met Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and having witnessed his integrity and courage in advocating for the victims of priest sexual abuse, in referring cases of priest sexual abuse to the police for investigation, and in making the predator priests accountable, I totally agree that Archbishop Diarmuid Martin would be an excellent Pope. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin was the trouble-shooter for the Vatican around the world, during the 30 years before he returned to Ireland as the Archbishop of Dublin. As a Catholic physician who has met many who were sexually abused by priests, I have seen that Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is focused on what Jesus would do, in his decision-making. Hierarchy in the USA and elsewhere have been focused on imitating the poor policies of the Pope and of the Vatican, rather than focusing on what Jesus would do, in regard to the clergy sexual abuse scandals. In my view, the Cardinals are all followers. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is a leader and would make a great Pope. Sincerely, Dr Rosemary Eileen McHugh, Chicago, Illinois, USA
johnshiel | Feb 15, 2013, 11:14 AM EST
tossing out a "narrow culture of clericalism" would entail what, precisely?
Joe Kelsall | Feb 15, 2013, 11:11 AM EST
Actually God was misheard: He said 'celebrate' and not 'celibate'.
phinsman | Feb 15, 2013, 10:47 AM EST
I am hoping the pope will be replaced with someone who has a much more modern and liberal perspective on life: celibacy is archaic, women should have the right to be priests, homosexuality/bisexuality/transgender is a natural process - not immoral or a sin, women's right to choose, etc.
Joe Kelsall | Feb 15, 2013, 10:33 AM EST
I'm putting my money on Aemon Casey, ex Bishop of Galway: at least he's got a son to succeed him. Although Paddy Power is backing a black Pope.
Dinglelady | Feb 15, 2013, 10:25 AM EST
I agree too. A good and a strong man. But I also wouldn't wish it on him.
CelticQueenUSA | Feb 15, 2013, 10:21 AM EST
Excellent suggestion but I doubt they have the courage to do so. From your lips to God's ears. He is a gem, They will choose a puppet pope I fear.
handsome68 | Feb 15, 2013, 10:18 AM EST
I don't know if being a Pope is a "job" I would wish on anyone, friend or foe. Sir William ("Braveheart") Wallace comes to mind from the past, but they tore him apart. Jesus Christ fulfills the language requirement -- a Pope should speak more than one language -- but would likely be rejected because, among other things, because of his controversial birth (place) and/or lack of a valid birth certificate. Come to think on it, this man seems a good choice, but cane he learn, e.g., Swahili in a timely fashion?
Frosty38 | Feb 15, 2013, 09:22 AM EST
I agree it should be Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, After is interview on one of the Tv interviews. I was impressed.
TomSwinford | Feb 15, 2013, 09:22 AM EST
McNamara31 &IrishSpring 444, I, too, would be delighted to see Archbishop Martin become the next pope - though even such an unlikely election would not restore my lost faith in Catholicism. While he may share the same conservative and orthodox views of Benedict and J.P. ll, he is far, far too outspoken and independent-minded for the present College of Cardinals. An activist pope who is clearly not "a member of the club" would never do. As for the restoration of the Latin Mass, I'm afraid the cat is long out of the bag. I remember the first time I listened to the Mass in English. Gone was all the majesty and mystery and sacredness. What a let-down! After Mass I was thinking as Peggy Lee would later record, "Is That All There Is?"
bbj3212 | Feb 15, 2013, 09:19 AM EST
What an inspired suggestion! Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is the ideal candidate, please God the "prices of the church" will consider him rather than play their petty politics in the conclave.
MichaelMcGrath | Feb 15, 2013, 09:08 AM EST
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has been the media's lap dog in Ireland but I suppose he has had to be and this role was forced on him by the massive Irish outcry against priests and the Church over the sexual abuse cases. That said I could see him making a really good Pope for the Church in these tough times. He's the fellow to continue on the good work of Benedict in shepherding the Church through the gauntlet.
IrishSpring444 | Feb 15, 2013, 08:47 AM EST
As envisioned in my novel last year ... As the old Roman adage goes "the next pope has not yet been made a cardinal." Archbishop Martin is singularly qualified ... Champion of the Traditional Latin Mass with his immediate formation of the Latin Mass Chaplaincy of Dublin one week after Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum took effect ... More than anything else, the retiring Pope's papacy will be remembered for this, and the Archbishop showed remarkable obedience to the Holy Fathers desire to restore the ancient liturgy. Of course, as the article says, he was champion of the people, darling of the press, spokesman for humility, repentance, and common sense in the abuse crisis ... He is young, but not too young, served in many key Vatican posts and with the UN, and is a good and holy priest .... It is a perfect fit that he who did not succeed to the bishopric of St Malachy of Armagh should be the first Irish pope, the first non cardinal to become pope in 600 years, the one who will lead the church through much tribulation, as Malachy warned, the "warrior without enemies" as his name implies, a traveling pope, Martin of Tours, who restores the Church much as Malachy restored the faith of the Irish Church ... A Martin in Armagh and a Martin in the Vatican ... 11:11 the palindrome for peace by a pope who loves palindromes and numerical hidden meanings (Summorum Pontificum on 7-7-7, etc) ... A resignation on 11-2 European dating, known as the day Malachy of Armagh died (Nov 2) ... The tip of the hat seems evident, may the Holy Ghost lead us to such a good man .... But however it turns out, it will be a man like Benedict, like Martin ... Orthodox and humble and holy ...
McNamara31 | Feb 15, 2013, 08:46 AM EST
On Feb.11th I wrote, in response to Dolan being a possible choice that the only real choice is "The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin who broke ranks, releasing abuse documents and speaking truth to the power of the Vatican saying of abuse: "it's a total abuse of power". Martin is a good man who showed total spiritual integrity and is what the church needs at the helm". Now the people in the pews have to make their voices heard. 60% of all funding for the RC Catholic Church comes from the United States. Do we sit by and let another Vatican insider who was "probably" complicit with the same "mindset that enabled abuse" to take on the reigns while truly good men like Martin who wouldn't keep silent and play along with them are passed over? Shouldn't he at least be considered for staying true to the tenants of the faith while Rome trampled on them? The conclave to choose a new Pope begins on March 15; I say on Sunday March 17th, instead of an envelop containing your contribution, place an envelop "only" containing the name of Diamuid Martin, a true man of God for Pope. And for all who say the Holy Spirit moves to determine the next Pope, just think, maybe he's moving through us; the people of HIS church.