Archbishop Martin May Be Set for Top Rome Post

By Michael Kelly and Cathal Barry
Irish Catholic
August 23, 2013

http://www.irishcatholic.ie/20130822/news/archbishop-martin-may-be-set-for-top-rome-post-S36649.html

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

Speculation is mounting among senior Dublin clergy that Archbishop Diarmuid Martin may be set for a swift move to Rome for a senior position in the Vatican.

The combination of some surprise recent appointments in Dublin, and the positioning of close friends of the archbishop’s in Pope Francis’ inner circle is fuelling speculation that a move to a prestigious Rome-based job may be on the cards.

A number of senior sources within the Dublin archdiocese, including in Archbishop’s House, have told The Irish Catholic that there is a growing sense that Dr Martin will be called to Rome to run a Vatican department, possibly within weeks.

The appointment of Bishop Eamonn Walsh as Vicar for Clergy, as revealed in this newspaper last week, is being seen as an indication that Archbishop Martin is keen to leave a safe pair of hands in Dublin despite previous tension between the two men.

The Irish Catholic can also reveal that the archbishop has asked a key aide to stay on, despite previously having announced that he would take up a parish appointment. Msgr Lorcan O’Brien, Moderator of the Curia and a close confidant of Archbishop Martin, had announced that he would move on from Archbishop’s House this autumn. However, that decision was reversed at the last minute and Msgr O’Brien will now stay on in his key administrative role for at least another year.

Sources in Archbishop’s House say this is another sign that Dr Martin is keen to keep a sense of continuity in the central administration of the country’s largest diocese, adding to the speculation that he will shortly be on the move.

The positioning of allies of the archbishop in key Vatican reform moves is also seen as crucial. He is close to Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga who is heading up a committee of cardinals advising the Pope on Vatican reform. Both men are in close contact and it is known that Cardinal Maradiaga thinks highly of Archbishop Martin’s ability. Another member of the same committee, which reports directly to the Pope, is Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who worked closely with Archbishop Martin on a Vatican inquiry in Ireland in the wake of the abuse scandals.

Dr Martin can also count the powerful head of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops Cardinal Marc Ouellet as in his corner. Cardinal Ouellet was the Pope’s representative to last year’s Eucharistic Congress in Dublin and it is known that both men share a warm rapport.

Since his return to Ireland in 2003 after more than a quarter of a century working for the Holy See, there has been periodic speculation that Dr Martin might be called back to the Vatican. However, a combination of factors both in Dublin and Rome now make that a more realistic possibility.

Pope Francis is expected to announce a swathe of key appointments within weeks, including the powerful post of Vatican Secretary of State.

Dr Martin, a former Vatican diplomat who has recently been critical of some aspects of the Roman Curia, is seen as ideally placed. His knowledge of the Vatican culture, while at the same time critiquing that culture, would place him as a key tactical ally for Pope Francis in any wider reforms.