Politicians defend cardinal after O'Donnell criticism of church

Cardinal Desmond Con nell's conduct during the controversy about the Taoiseach's partner, Ms Celia Larkin, has been strongly defended by a succession of politicians, following criticism by the Minister of State, Ms Liz O'Donnell, of the church.

The Progressive Democrats TD said the church's unhappiness with the role of Ms Larkin at Monday's Dublin Castle reception was "a bit rich" given its problems with paedophile priests and institutional abuse.

In response, Senator Maurice Manning of Fine Gael said yesterday: "The one group that behaved with propriety in this controversy is the Roman Catholic Church, including the Cardinal."

She had "gratuitously and offensively" attacked the church and made "utterly unfair remarks, which will offend a great deal of people", Mr Manning said in the Seanad.

Senator Shane Ross (Independent) agreed, saying: "I fully endorse what Senator Manning said. The Roman Catholic Church has behaved very well and with immense dignity and has been put in great political difficulty."

The Fine Gael TD, Mr Gay Mitchell, said he was not prepared to allow the "offensive and intemperate" remarks about the Catholic Church by the Minister of State to go unchallenged.

"It is quite extraordinary that other churches and their leaders, who took a much more critical public stance on the issue, were spared by Minister O'Donnell," he said.

Senator David Norris (Independent) said the relationship between the Catholic Church and the State should be redefined. "It is an important debate although the circumstances are a bit unfortunate.

"Everybody who was a principal player in this situation was hurt and upset about it. We have to look at the fact that there are people who are in second relationships and relationships outside marriage who deserve dignity," he said.

He deplored "the opportunism" of some members of the Church of Ireland clergy, who, he said, had seemed to jump on the bandwagon to try and upstage the Roman Catholic Church.

The Bishop of Killaloe, Dr William Walsh, said: "The last thing that I want to do is get into a controversy about this. But I have not actually seen any remarks by church figures about the reception.

"The first obligation on all of us is to treat everyone with respect, irrespective of their position. I would be very conscious that I did not stand in judgment and condemn anyone.

"Part of the reason why I do that is because I am too well aware of my own failures and I am too well aware of the failures of the church as an institution. In some way, I am accepting of the comments made by the Minister," Bishop Walsh said.

Meanwhile, the Government spokesman clarified Wednesday's declaration that Ms Larkin had not been available to travel to Rome last February for the elevation of Cardinal Connell.

Following a check of records, he said no Taoisigh "in recent living memory" had brought their spouses to Rome for such an occasion, and there had never been any discussion with the Vatican on the issue.