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New head of Catholic Church says he will be 'servant leader'

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Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Eamon Martin concelebrate Mass in St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh.

Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Eamon Martin concelebrate Mass in St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh.

Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Eamon Martin concelebrate Mass in St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh.

The new leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland has pledged to lead it through a process of "humble renewal" without trying "to make sure that it dominates politics and the State".

Archbishop Eamon Martin succeeded Cardinal Sean Brady as Primate of All Ireland yesterday, taking over a leadership role which covers the 26 dioceses here and Northern Ireland.

The 52-year-old Derry native becomes the 116th Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in succession to St Patrick.

He said that even though people are living in a very fast world with many commitments, he believed "people still need God in their lives and they need their church. There is still a lot of hope in people that they would like a renewal of their church." But he cautioned against over optimism.

Resignation

"I am only one person. I wouldn't want to give any impression that somehow I can work miracles for the church in Ireland. We're living in a very different Ireland now. It is a new context and therefore we need to learn ways of bringing the Gospel."

His appointment follows the Vatican's acceptance of Cardinal Brady's resignation, which was tendered in August when he turned 75.

Explaining his concept of "humble renewal" the new Primate said it was not about "building up some big edifice or triumphalist church or trying to make sure that it dominates politics and the State."

"A church that is humble is a church on our knees, hopefully in prayer, recognising the terrible things that have happened in the past and the need to ask God's mercy and to ask forgiveness of people," he said in a reference to the clerical abuse scandals.

Speaking outside the twin spires of St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, Archbishop Martin told the Irish Independent that he was "humbled" by the "huge task that I've been asked to undertake by God".

"You realise that you are just tiny before that big building. Tiny before the task that is ahead of you. But please God I will be given the strength and the guidance that will help me to build the church up in the days ahead," he said.

The new Primate said his priorities would be "to get to know my people and to facilitate a movement that will allow people to be confident in their faith without being polemical and condemnatory".

Archbishop Martin said he would also work quietly with the other bishops to encourage the faithful. "If I can in some way give people new heart then I'll feel that I am fulfilling what God is calling me to do," he said.

Honorary

Dismissing those who see the role of Primate as "some kind of massive CEO position" he said it is a figurative and honorary position because of Armagh's significance as the See of Patrick. "It is a kind of a servant leadership rather than any big hierarchical leadership or position of power."

Archbishop Martin paid tribute to his predecessor Cardinal Brady's work ethic and "tireless commitment to representing the Catholic church in Ireland".

He described him as a "gentle and humble man who is never fully comfortable in the limelight".


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