Statement by Desmond Cardinal Connell on Irish Times report of 31st October 2001
Last December I gave an extended interview to Stephen Costello, in which we discussed a wide range of topics. Two of the comments I made - about Archbishop Walton Empey and about Trinity College - are highlighted in today's Irish Times report. They are likely to give rise to misunderstanding and I want to say something about both.
In the context of the perfectly understandable differences in theological perspective between us, I referred to Archbishop Empey in a way which might have appeared to denigrate him. I want to make it as clear as I possibly can that this was never my intention and I profoundly regret if such an impression has been given.
It would be surprising if we did not take different theological positions on important questions. Given our different formation, it would also be surprising if we did not approach these questions in a different way. But these are not, and should not be, personal differences. He and I enjoy warm personal relations, which I greatly value. I hold him in the greatest respect and respect in particular his widely acknowledged and admired pastoral gifts. I sincerely look forward to a continuation and development of our work together in the coming years.
Some moments in the relationship between Trinity College and myself, originally as professor of philosophy and later as archbishop, are also referred to in the interview. These are all now in the past. The report gives the impression that the new Provost, Professor John Hegarty, was in some way involved.
This is not something I said myself and it is quite inaccurate. I am sorry that such an impression should have been given. I am also conscious of the need for all of us not to be held back by what happened in the past from developing warm and constructive relationships for the future. This is what I would be most anxious to do.
And it applies not only to relationships between individuals but to all of us on this island and, indeed, to the world community as we grapple with our current crisis.
Interviews can sometimes be so careful that they say nothing. But I am all too aware that I myself sometimes say things in the course of an interview without sufficiently adverting to the reactions of others. When the result is the giving of offence, no one is more regretful than I am and this is so in the present instance.