Pope may have to settle for Armagh during visit to Ireland: Fr Paddy O’Kane

The first I knew that Pope Francis had officially accepted Enda Kenny’s invitation was when Radio Foyle phoned me at noon on Monday asking me for a comment later in the Mark Patterson show.

I said I hoped he would visit the North, preferably Derry but we may have to settle with Armagh, traditionally the faith- centre of the country going back to St. Patrick.

I said I hoped that the loyalist community here would show the same generosity of spirit as the nationalists did in the South when they welcomed the Queen by extending a warm hand of friendship.

I said I hoped the Pope would bring healing and hope to those who have lost faith in the Church over the past few decades and walked away.

I have fond memories of the last papal visit when Pope John Paul came in 1979.

I had just been ordained six years and was a concelebrant at his Mass in Galway racetrack. The whole country was ecstatic.

Those warm and glorious days are long past and we have gone through that cold and painful winter of sin and crime caused by some sick priests and the following cover up by the bishops.

He helped Cuba and the USA be friends as I have already explained.

Would it be too much to expect that Pope Francis’ visit might mark the beginning of a new springtime for our divided community and our Church?