My friends:

While it is already known, through a report by the BBC as well as media sources close to the Vatican, that Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the English prime minister's invitation to visit Britain, an increasing drumbeat of news from the Vatican suggests he will visit Northern Ireland as well.

The trip, which would be the first papal trip to Britain since John Paul II's pastoral visit in 1982, is to be officially announced shortly by the Vatican. While the Pope's press officials are not reluctant to talk openly — even before it is "official" — about the British trip, there is an unusual silence, even by the cloak-and-dagger standards in Rome, to say "Northern Ireland."

Although I have said that a papal trip to the Republic of Ireland at this time of the monstrous scandal in the Irish Catholic Church might be a good and earnest beginning at healing, a trip to the North is more apt to open wounds than heal them. Once again, the region is gripped by both Catholic and Protestant violence that is part hooliganism by alcohol-fueled anger at the bad economy, and partly more serious: The so-called Real IRA — not far removed from the brainless hooligans — is flexing its muscles, and loyalist groups of the same mental and moral incapacity are doing the same.

While predicting the future is a risky nusiness, chances are that a papal visit will not help the situation — especially since it is believed the Pope will use the trip to mark the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, the prominent 19th century convert from Anglicanism to Catholicism.

If orange is your favorite color, them's fighting words, although I join all of good faith — and every faith — in prayer that God's Peace will sanctify all of Ireland, which is in such dire need of His Healing Power.

His Will be Done.

But perhaps more tragically, a papal visit limited to the North — in the midst of the heartache and pain of the still-unraveling clergy sex scandal in the Republic — will leave many Catholics without their shepherd at a time when he is most-needed.

Yes, there are many, many Catholics in the North who will feel blessed by a visit from His Holiness — and his presence in what was once the scene of a fearsome civil war with an apatheid-like government's double standards of "justice" can also be seen as an important blessing on all the good that has come from peace, made possible by both sides in that conflict.

But, just as Catholics in the North would surely welcome His Holiness, there are many, many more in the Republic who need His Holiness. Ideally, Benedict will use his visit to embrace the breadth of Catholicism in all of Ireland, and not leave Catholics in the Republic, whose Church is being ripped apart by its own misdeeds, left wondering, "What about us?"

God bless you all!

— Father Tim

Father Tim is a Jesuit missionary, trained in New York and Boston, who writes about the spiritual side of life. An Irish-American, he loves hearing from readers – not about theological arguments, but real-life issues that matter to you. He’s a friend you can trust, and you will always be in his prayers.