A Government proposal for "structured dialogue" with the churches and other faith-based organisations has been welcomed by the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Seán Brady. Paddy Agnew in Rome and Deaglán de Bréadún report.
"This is about dialogue, putting things on a formal basis," Dr Brady said. "I've just heard the proposal now and I think they have something similar in France, a body where people go in and make their representations, as many other bodies do to government."
Dr Brady was commenting in Rome after the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Ahern, had announced the Government's intention to institute arrangements for "an open, transparent and regular dialogue with churches and with philosophical and non-confessional organisations".
At the Irish College in Rome on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Holy See, Mr Ahern said there was already provision for such dialogue at EU level in the proposed European Constitution.
"The Government believes that such arrangements would be of value in Ireland. They would also help build on the contributions already being made by the churches and church-based organisations, including at the National Forum on Europe and through social partnership. Accordingly, we will be inviting all churches and faith communities to join with us in exploring this important issue further.
"I want to stress that, in Ireland as in Europe, any arrangements which might emerge would have as their objective the improvement of the quality of our dialogue with the churches and faith communities, which form such an important part of our society. That dialogue would have to be open, inclusive and transparent, and, of course, fully in accordance with the provisions of Article 44 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, which guarantee freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion," Mr Ahern said.
The Labour Party spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Mr Michael D. Higgins, commented: "It is important that the Minister would clarify what he means by dialogue." Mr Higgins said it was a pity that, during Ireland's EU presidency, "the opportunity was not taken to have a regional conference on the different faith systems and, very particularly, the relationship between the belief systems of Europe and Islam in their contemporary and historical development."
Government sources said the nature of any arrangements for a structured dialogue would be worked out in the course of that dialogue. There was provision for this kind of dialogue at EU level in the proposed European Constitution and the Government felt it would be "appropriate" to have a similar dialogue at national level.
Official sources confirmed that the Government has been thinking of setting up some form of structured dialogue for the last two years. As of now, the nuts and bolts of the process have to be established. It is not clear exactly what type of body may eventually be established and how often it would meet. Nor is it clear who would represent the Government, although it is expected that the Taoiseach's office would be directly involved. Much will depend on what sort of response emerges from the churches and faith communities.
Mr Ahern said he hoped that the body would embrace not only all the Christian churches but also representatives of other religions, including Islam. Asked if clerical sex abuse would be the first item on the new body's agenda, the Minister dissented, saying that he expected the body would deal with a very broad range of issues "of mutual interest", including education, healthcare, social justice, the rich-poor divide, immigration and the developing world.
Mr Ahern suggested that whilst the implications of the clerical sex abuse crisis might be discussed at a "global level", it would not be the work of a body like this to enter into the details of specific, individual cases.
Asked if clerical sex abuse would feature prominently on the new body's agenda, Archbishop Brady commented: "It is not fair to make that assumption. It will be a much wider debate."