Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s impolite gesture during his audience with Pope
Benedict XVI on Saturday is ensnaring public attention, drawing various
connotations, as well as provoking wrath among Catholic folks.Mr Kenny was among the addresses of Pope Benedict’s speech and prayers held on Saturday, at his summer house, in Castel Gandolfo, nearby Lazio.
The Taoiseach was one of the representatives from a political grouping called Christian Democrat International (CDI).
On the said occasion, Mr Kenny seems to give the impression of intentionally neglecting the Pope’s presence as he casually played with his mobile phone amidst speech and prayers delivered by the Bishop of Rome. The Taoiseach’s provocative actions were caught on video and spread across the Catholic communal.
The controversial video footage of this scene is posted on the Italian ‘Corriere Della Sera’ newspaper website.
The 80-second footage shows Mr Kenny’s lack of interest on what the Pope was saying at that time. Instead of thumbing his rosary beads, the Taoiseach opted to press the keys of his mobile phone.
At one angle, Mr Kenny also appeared to be taking a picture of Pope Benedict while the rest of the audience was courteously listening.
When the Pontiff was done with his talking and prayers, everybody in the room rose to show appreciation, except Mr Kenny whose attention remained on his phone.
Upon realizing he was the only one left sitting down, he quickly stood with the crowd.
But since he was holding his handset, he did not applaud. No one has also seen Mr Kenny talking to Pope Benedict before and after the occasion.
This was not the only instance when the Taoiseach seemed to convey an insult to the Catholic Church’s body.
Prior incidents have also depicted his apparent transgression towards the Vatican Church, including his decision to close the Irish embassy to the Holy See, as well as his Dail speech that ripped the Vatican community.
But whether or not Taoiseach Enda Kenny did all these things intentionally, his impolite gesture on Saturday’s occasion with the Pope has earned him criticisms from the general public, especially the Catholic Church.