Cardinal Brady departs for Britain to attend four day visit by Pope Benedict

15 Sep 2010

PRESS RELEASE
15 September 2010 

Cardinal Brady departs for Britain to attend four day visit by Pope Benedict

Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, today flies to Edinburgh in advance of the four day State visit to Britain of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, which begins tomorrow.

Cardinal Brady said “I am very much looking forward to this Papal visit to Britain.  I am delighted to be able to accept invitations, from various Church and State bodies, to attend engagements and liturgical events at which His Holiness will be present.

“Over the coming days the Holy Father will address young people and the elderly and we can also expect reflections on the value of Catholic education and on the relationship between faith and civil society, and amongst religious denominations.  The relevance of his messages this week will no doubt have a significant and long-term resonance with society both in our neighbouring island as well as with us here in Ireland.”

Cardinal Brady continued “The Holy Father’s visit will culminate in the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Birmingham on Sunday next, 19 September. Cardinal Newman holds an important place in Irish history as, on the invitation of the Irish Bishops, he set up a Catholic University in Dublin in 1852.

“The theme of this papal visit is ‘Heart speaks unto heart’, the phrase Cardinal Newman chose as the motto for his coat of arms. This important and exciting visit will allow many people to meet and see Pope Benedict, a gifted theologian, but also a deeply pastoral man who loves dearly the people of God.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

  • Pope Benedict XVI has undertaken seventeen Apostolic visits since the beginning of his pontificate in 2005.  A dedicated web feature for Pope Benedict’s 2010 visit to Britain is now available on www.catholicbishops.ie

Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer 087 310 4444