Irish primate to become cardinal

[ziggysego]

Archbishop Sean Brady is being elevated to cardinal status

The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Dr Sean Brady, is to be made a cardinal.

Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement at the end of his weekly audience in St Peter's Square, Rome.

Ireland will now have three cardinals for the first time in its history, with Cardinal Cathal Daly and Cardinal Desmond Connell already in the roles.

However, only Dr Brady, the current Archbishop of Armagh, would have a vote in the choice of any new pope.

Dr Brady said he was "deeply honoured and humbled" by the announcement.

"Today's news is a mark of the affection and esteem of the Holy Father for the whole Church in Ireland," he said.

"It is a daunting privilege to join Cardinal Cahal Daly and Cardinal Desmond Connell in the College of Cardinals. This small country is to have three cardinals for the first time in its history."

Twenty-four new Cardinals will be created at a Consistory in Rome on 24 November.

Irish President Mary McAleese said the news underlined the esteem in which Dr Brady was held.

"Archbishop Brady is a man of great personal integrity, kindness and goodness, a man who leads by personal example," she said.

Dr Brady was born in 1939 at Drumcalpin, near Laragh in County Cavan, and after an early education in the local school he went to St Patrick's College, Cavan, and on to St Patrick's College, Maynooth and the Irish College in Rome.

He was ordained in February 1964 and after post-graduate studies in canon law in Rome he returned to teach at St Patrick's, Cavan, in 1967.

In 1980, he was appointed vice-rector of the Irish College in Rome and became rector in 1987. He remained there until 1993 when he was appointed parish priest of Castletara, Ballyhaise, County Cavan.

In February 1995 he was ordained Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh and a year and a half later he became Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland October 1996.

Sourced BBCi: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7048709.stm

[AZOffaly]

I thought this was about religious monkeys.

[ziggysego]

I thought this was about religious monkeys.

Well he is from Armagh.

[The Iceman]

fair play to him

[Snowed Under]

I thought this was about religious monkeys.

Well he is from Armagh.

Wow 4,500 posts - are they all as hilarious.

[supersarsfields]

I thought this was about religious monkeys.

Well he is from Armagh.

Wow 4,500 posts - are they all as hilarious.

77 posts and most seem just to be starting rows.

[Pangurban]

Surprised no one is asking why at this time the Pope chose to create another Irish Cardinal. There is something suspicious here

[armaghniac]

Surprised no one is asking why at this time the Pope chose to create another Irish Cardinal. There is something suspicious here

Not really, Cardinals over 80 can't vote for Pope and probably don't do much generally. So Brady will be the only "working" Cardinal. However Martin may also get a red hat sometime.

[deiseach]

I thought this was about religious monkeys.

Clint Eastwood might make a good film out of that. Curious George and the Man in the Red Hat?