Tributes have been paid to the Pope’s representative in Ireland,
Archbishop Charles Brown following the announcement that he is to take
up a new appointment in Albania in the coming weeks.The US-born prelate (57) was hand-picked by Pope Benedict XVI when relations between Dublin and Rome hit an all-time-low after the Taoiseach’s controversial criticism of the Vatican in a Dáil speech.
The row saw the Government take the unprecedented decision to close the Irish Embassy to the Vatican.
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland said Archbishop Brown had endeared himself to many people in Ireland, “thanks to his ‘down to Earth’ and friendly nature” when travelling “the length and breadth of the island”.
“For me, his energy, courtesy, openness, warmth and cooperativeness have exemplified the style of Pope Francis,” Archbishop Eamon said.
Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin said that Archbishop Brown came among us as a diplomat, at a time when diplomacy was really needed, but he came with the heart of a pastor.
Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe said the nuncio’s Irish roots “gave him a deep appreciation for the lived faith experience of the Irish people”.
The Pope has not yet named a successor, meaning 17-months ahead of an expected visit by Pope Francis, there is no papal nuncio in Dublin.
The Deputy Head of Mission, Msgr Piotr Tarnawski, will serve as Vatican chargé d’affaires.
He has worked in Dublin since October.