New papal nuncio preaches first homily at Pro-Cathedral

THE NEW papal nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, preached his first homily at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin at the weekend since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI last February.

As the principal celebrant at a liturgical reception hosted by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop Leanza said he was honoured to have been appointed as the pope’s representative in Ireland.

“More than ever today, society looks to the church, hoping to find in it a sure guide in its quest for the truth and for the ultimate meaning to life,” he said.

Pope Benedict felt particularly close to the church in Ireland and to Irish society, Archbishop Leanza said.

“He asked me to convey to each and every one of you his paternal greeting and apostolic blessing, and to assure you of his prayerful support and encouragement as you seek to remain ever faithful to your Catholic faith and persevere in the generous love of Christ and his church,” he added.

Archbishop Martin said he hoped the nuncio’s mission to Ireland would help deepen the bond of faith and charity with churches around the world, and appealed for prayers for the victims of the cyclone in Burma.

“We pray that our sense of solidarity with them will bring them hope. We pray that the fruits of international solidarity may rapidly reach them and give them succour in their suffering.”

The reception was attended by members of the Government, diplomatic corps, and representatives of Christian churches. Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan represented the Government.

Archbishop Leanza succeeds Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, who is the new papal nuncio to Australia. Archbishop Leanza served previously as papal nuncio in Haiti, Bosnia Herzegovina, Slovenia, Macedonia, and most recently Bulgaria.