The new Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, talks about his priorities for the Archdiocese and his appointment at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has affected so many lives across Ireland.
By Lydia O’Kane
The new Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, was installed on Tuesday morning at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral in the Irish capital.
The main celebrant was Archbishop Farrell, who was joined by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland.
The former bishop of Ossory, in eastern Ireland, takes over the reign of the Archdiocese amid a global pandemic in which Ireland has seen an increase in cases – and, tragically, the number of victims.
He also enters this role as the Church in Ireland faces a number of challenges, including a decline in vocations, elderly priests, a decline in mass attendance and an increasingly secular country.
In an extensive interview with Vatican Radio prior to his installation, Archbishop Farrell addressed many of these issues and outlined his key priorities as head of the archdiocese.
He began by talking about his surprise at being nominated as Archbishop of Dublin.
“No one was more surprised than I was asked by Pope Francis to move to Dublin. It was a bit surreal at the time, but when I was asked I said that it was something Pope Francis wanted and that it was part of a process of discernment, “he said.
Current challenges
A decrease in vocations and a corresponding increase in the number of elderly priests are just some of the challenges facing the Church in Ireland today. Asked if he found these challenges daunting, the Archbishop said that there are indeed challenges in the Archdiocese and in the country as a whole, but these can also be seen as opportunities.
“It can be a driving force for a certain reform that is somewhat outdated in terms of the number of churches and parishes we have, because there are big changes, say, in certain parts of the Archdiocese where you now have a Catholic population. quite low. ,” he explained.” There is an opportunity there, he added, to be a missionary Church, and “any planning for the future must articulate the steps and steps that are needed to develop ways to reach it.” The archbishop also mentioned that the pandemic accelerated the challenges, rather than caused them.
Key priorities
Setting his key priorities for the Archdiocese, Archbishop Farrell stressed that evangelism must be one of the key areas in the parishes. Faith must be “a living faith in these communities,” he said.
The archbishop also pointed out that the younger generations – those under 50 – are less and less inclined to be part of a parish and faith-based groups. “When this happens, several generations disconnect from the faith.” However, he said, there is a possibility that young parents will reconnect to the faith when their children begin to receive the sacraments, and it is important that the Church be there for those who have a cultural attachment to the faith rather than one of commitment. .
Safeguard
Addressing the issue of protection in the Irish Church, especially in Dublin, Archbishop Farrell described his predecessor’s leadership as “courageous”. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, he said, “came to Dublin at a very difficult time … he set up very good structures in the diocese.”
The new archbishop stressed that, under his leadership, the protection of children will remain a focal point, saying that “gratitude is very often deadly in terms of protection … because over time people forget.” He went on to say that abuse in the past can never be allowed to happen again.
Homes for mothers and children
Just over two weeks ago, an Irish Commission of Inquiry published a new report in the Mothers and Babies’ Homes of the Republic of Ireland, which found that from the 1920s to the 1990s, thousands of children died in these houses, which were run mainly by the Catholic Church. .
Speaking about the conclusions, Archbishop Farrell said that “it helped to shed light on what happened to vulnerable women and children in the walls of those houses, but also beyond the walls of those houses.” He also stressed that those responsible must be held accountable.
“Religious orders and some individuals have failed in some ways to reflect the values of the gospel that we support and still support,” and at the end of the day, “we have lost sight of the gift of the child,” he said.
He described how “part of the life of faith in these places had become barren and many lived in the shadows of what might be described, at best, as a kind of very dark world or gray world. And this is a life different from the one we recognize as the full life of God, given to every person – man, woman and child – who are made in the image and likeness of God.
Covid pandemic
Like many countries, Ireland has battled a coronavirus pandemic. In the last number of weeks, this island nation has seen a significant increase in cases and deaths caused by the virus, which has led to the total blockade with only essential stores open and online church services.
The archbishop said: “What brought the pandemic home to us is the value of life in all its stages from beginning to end.” He also acknowledged the suffering of many people who have lost loved ones and cannot even visit patients at the hospital due to current restrictions.
Hopes for Dublin
Asked what kind of Dublin he would like to see, Archbishop Farrell said that from the Church’s point of view, he would like to renew the parish which is supported by hope and joy.
He also spoke about the importance of the “good liturgy”, which has the ability to raise people. Another area that the Archbishop highlighted was the issue of vocations, which he said needed to grow, along with an effort to involve the laity in a greater way.
“Sometimes we forget that there are many women, lay people, religious women there, who are a necessary and vibrant part of the living Church. So, we need to capitalize on all these people who are willing to get involved in the parish and create opportunities for them to get involved. ”
This article has been updated