The difficulty with donkeys and minarets
THE late Conor Cruise O'Brien liked to quote a Middle Eastern joke about getting a donkey down from a minaret. There is no dignified way of conducting such an operation. The same is true of countless incidents in international relations, solved by smooth behind-scenes work and ended with bland denials that the donkey ever existed.
In the matter of Ireland's current difficult relations with the Holy See, the donkey remains in full view on the minaret -- or rather the bell-tower -- and cannot be removed without somebody looking awkward and foolish.
Here is where the diplomats come in, or should come in. But the diplomats themselves are at the centre of this unfortunate affair.
The fault for its origins belonged firmly, not to any Irish government but to the Vatican.
Its role in the Irish clerical sex abuse scandal was sharply criticised last year by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore. The language used by Mr Kenny was startling but fully deserved -- and widely approved.
The next stage in the process should have been repairing our relationship with the Vatican on a basis of mutual trust.
Instead, Mr Gilmore in his capacity as Foreign Minister decided to close our embassy to the Holy See. The reason given was the need to save money, but that was difficult to believe. A confidential review, carried out earlier within the Foreign Affairs department, had recommended alternative ways of making economies.
Since the turn of the year, angry Fine Gael backbench deputies have made sure that the donkey cannot be ignored. Those now caught up in the imbroglio include -- in addition to Mr Gilmore, who refuses to change course -- the Taoiseach, junior minister Lucinda Creighton, and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
Mr Kenny hints at a review of Mr Gilmore's decision. Ms Creighton talks of reopening the embassy within two years. The archbishop raises a question which must be answered very soon.
He has invited Pope Benedict XVI to attend the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in July. He quotes the Pope as saying that he will consider the invitation seriously but his visit would have to fit with the overall programme for Catholic Church renewal in Ireland.
This seems as much as to say that the time is not ripe -- something only the Pope can decide. But there is another consideration. He is a head of state as well as a spiritual leader. It would appear to be no more than good manners for the Government to send him an official invitation.
Whether or not he visits Ireland, the embassy issue must be resolved. At the close of the day, it will surely end with the reopening of our mission to the Holy See. Diplomacy must prevail, and donkeys return to their stables.
Irish Independent
