Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is being linked to a major appointment in Rome which will be announced later in the autumn. Following the Archbishop's successful implementation of reform to deal with clerical sexual abuse, as well as his spearheading of the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin last year, many priests in the archdiocese feel he is in line for recognition by Rome.
The speculation among Dublin's priests follows a report in this week's 'Irish Catholic' newspaper.
It is being fuelled by a combination of some surprise appointments in Dublin, and the positioning of close friends of Archbishop Martin's in Pope Francis's inner circle .
The recent World Youth Day in Rio is believed to have provided the Archbishop with an opportunity to network among senior prelates in the global church.
"He left Rome 10 years ago, so even though he knows the ropes there, he has been a long time out of the scene," the source said.
However, a spokeswoman for the Archbishop dismissed the report and told the Irish Independent that the leader of the church in Dublin would not be commenting "on such empty speculation".
The 'Irish Catholic' cited "a number of senior sources within the Dublin archdiocese, including in Archbishop's House". It said that there is "a growing sense that Dr Martin will be called to Rome to run a Vatican department, possibly within weeks".
According to one source, the basis for this claim lies in this year's clerical appointments list, which has not yet been published and won't be for at least another week.
The "surprise appointments" in Dublin include Auxiliary Bishop Eamonn Walsh's appointment as Vicar for Clergy – although this has not yet been confirmed.
The 'Irish Catholic' also claims that Archbishop Martin has asked a key aide, Msgr Lorcan O'Brien, who is Moderator of the Curia, to stay on for another year, despite having previously announced that he would take up a parish appointment.
Church sources said that speculation about Archbishop Martin's future has been circulating within the diocese's clergy for months.
REFORM
One source described the Archbishop as "the right age" to take up an appointment in Rome, saying he has "at least another eight good years to contribute to a high-powered role".
"He changed the
agenda in Ireland as to how bishops act and work," the source said, but
added that there is a sense within Dublin that the Archbishop is "short
on ideas on how to pastorally reform the Irish church".
A
major item coming up for Dublin is the need to restructure the
organisation of its parishes, in order to address the decline in the
number of priests.
An exit by Archbishop Martin for Rome would free up the Irish Bishops Conference to set a new agenda among its many newer members, many of who are seen as more pastorally focused.