An Irish-American priest who has worked closely with the present Pope is to be the new papal nuncio to Ireland.
Monsignor Charles J Brown is an unusual appointment in that he does not come from the Vatican’s diplomatic corps, the BBC reorts
Instead, he has worked at the Holy See’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).
This means he will be deeply familiar with the Catholic Church’s response to child sexual abuse which was central to the CDF’s work.
The decision to make him papal nuncio is being viewed as an indication of the thought that Rome has invested in the appointment.
In November, the Irish government decided to close its embassy to the Vatican in what was described as a cost-cutting measure.
The decision was greeted with dismay by Cardinal Sean Brady, Ireland’s most senior Catholic cleric.
He said he was “profoundly disappointed” by it.
Monsignor Brown’s nomination has been approved by the Irish government. However, it is standard practice for the Vatican not to confirm or deny the nomination until it is officially published by the government.