NOW that Pope Benedict’s schedule for 2008 has been announced, a papal visit to Knock looks unlikely, despite recent invitations.Almost three decades have passed since Pope John Paul II visited the holy village and now Deputy Enda Kenny has asked his successor Pope Benedict XVI to make the trip to the Marian Shrine.
But with the Pope in his 81st year and with trips to Lourdes, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Australia for World Youth Day scheduled for 2008, a trip to Knock is not on the agenda.
The Fine Gael Leader met with Pope Benedict in Rome last month as part of a delegation of the Leaders of the Christian Democrat International to which Fine Gael is attached.
“Unfortunately, the political situation at that time prevented him from visiting Northern Ireland. Now that the power sharing institutions have been restored the time is right, I believe, for a second papal visit and I hope that Pope Benedict will respond favourably to my request,” Deputy Kenny told the Western People.
However, it’s understood the Pope would have to receive an invite from the bishops of Ireland before he would make the trip to Knock. They afforded him an invite last year but he has yet to accept it.
Pope John Paul’s visit on September 30, 1979 marked the centenary of the apparition in Knock and it’s unlikely Pope Benedict will make the journey to Ireland unless it marks an important anniversary.
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