Archbishop of Armagh Dr Seán Brady is such a genuinely humble and unassuming man that it is impossible to imagine him seeing his elevation to the College of Cardinals as an achievement or a decision that brings pride and honour to his diocese or the Catholic Church in Ireland. It is typical of him that he regards his nomination not as a personal acknowledgement but as an expression of Pope Benedict's confidence in recent developments in Northern Ireland.
As Archbishop of Armagh for the past 11 years, Dr Brady has provided a prophetic style of leadership that is very different from the approach of some primates and prelates. In a quiet manner, he has lead through example, with his emphasis on justice, mercy and walking humbly with God. Reaction to a recent sermon concentrated on his attacks on astrology and tarot cards. But Dr Brady was largely ignored for his prophetic criticisms of "an increasing culture of insecurity and fear" and the way in which Ireland, once the "land of saints and scholars", is tragically becoming "the land of stocks and shares a land of increasing stress and substance abuse".
Dr Brady is deeply committed to forgiveness, reconciliation and mutual respect, and all Northern Church leaders value his interventions in public debates, with his strong stance on moral, social and ethical issues. When unfair criticism of Dr Brady appeared on Wikipedia recently, it was a member of the Church of Ireland who objected to the content and had it removed. Dr Brady has a good working relationship with his Church of Ireland counterpart, Archbishop Alan Harper, and has warm friendships with both Lord Eames and former Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ken Newell. The President of the Methodist Church joined them in congratulating Dr Brady. And no-one should underestimate the significance of the congratulatory message sent to the cardinal-elect by the present Moderator. But perhaps the most extraordinary message was that from the office of Northern Ireland's First Minister, the Rev Ian Paisley. By-passing the legacy of past divisions, Dr Brady has visited the Presbyterian General Assembly, held talks with Orange figures and met Dr Paisley face-to-face a year ago.
Once again Ireland has a cardinal young enough to take part in any future conclave that will elect a Pope. Dr Brady's elevation is a tribute to this caring man; it is a tribute to the increasingly warm relations between all communities on this island; and it provides a living example of how leadership should be exercised not only in the church but in other sectors of society too.