The Pope’s representative in Ireland has appealed to Irish Catholics to oppose attempts to introduce abortion. Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, echoing the call of Pope Francis to protect the most vulnerable in society, said “we must surely think of expectant mothers and of the gift of life, the vulnerable child in the womb.
“We as Catholics must be absolutely committed to protecting and defending mothers and their unborn babies,” he told Massgoers in St John’s Cathedral, Limerick.
Archbishop Brown, who was celebrating the traditional Holy Week Chrism Mass, also praised the dedication of Irish priests in challenging circumstances.
Acknowledging that it is not easy to be a priest in modern Ireland, Dr Brown said: “there are countless priests living their vocations with courage, generosity and joy, sometimes in the midst of difficulties and trials. To them, to our priests, this evening we say thanks”.
Archbishop Brown said he had been impressed by the priests he has met around Ireland.
“If I could speak from my own personal experience of being your Nuncio for the last fourteen months, I have been tremendously edified by the example of the priests of Ireland. From Killarney to Belfast, from Limerick to Derry, I have been profoundly grateful for the opportunity to visit parishes and to meet priests, who have made a deep and lasting impression on me,” the archbishop said.
On the pressing theme of vocations, Archbishop Brown appealed to young men to consider a vocation to the priesthood. “What would I say to such a young person?” Dr Brown asked.
“Listen to the Lord. Put your trust in Him. To serve Him and His people as a priest is an adventure of grace which corresponds to the deepest desires of your heart. Do not be afraid!” he said.
Referring to the recent election of Pope Francis, Dr Brown said “a new and exciting chapter in the Church’s life opens up before us.
“The Holy Father’s humility, simplicity and transparent goodness have touched our hearts and the hearts of the entire world,” he said.
Fr Brendan Leahy will be ordained as Bishop of Limerick in a ceremony in St John’s Cathedral on Sunday 14th April.