Lack of Pope invite 'a disappointment'
WALSH UNHAPPY WITH THE RESULT OF VOTE
NEW ROSS Senator Jim Walsh is 'extremely disappointed' after a motion calling on the Government to extend an official invitation to the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI to visit Ireland was voted down.
Speaking this week, Senator Walsh, who is the Fianna Fáil Seanad spokesman on foreign affairs, said he is disappointed at the decision of Fine Gael and Labour senators to vote down the motion.
He said he has raised the need for the Government to take a proactive approach with the Vatican in relation to a possible State visit of the Pope to Ireland.
'Fianna Fáil secured support for a motion before the Seanad from Independent members and Sinn Féin to urge the Government to convey to the Holy See that it would welcome the opportunity of extending an official invitation to Pope Benedict XVI. I believe this would be extremely important for the relationship between Ireland and Vatican,' he said.
'Last week, Fianna Fáil explained the difference between a pastoral visit and an official state visit. The Tánaiste indicated that the Government would facilitate the Pope if he wished to visit. The Pope can visit without being facilitated by the Government, however. This is a question of the Government sending a signal which would be contrary to the negative signals sent over the past year,' he added.
Speaking after the Fianna Fáil motion was defeated, Senator Walsh said he accepted that the Government says it will facilitate a visit of the Pope but believes that if it is to happen the Government needs to send a more positive signal than they have displayed over the past year and come across as being 'genuinely in favour and welcoming' of such a visit.
- ELAINE FURLONG
