Sir, – An Ulsterman once removed, I have just seen the photograph of the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, seated with other delegates from a European Conference having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday, September 23rd at Castel Gandolfo.
The Taoiseach is fidgeting with his mobile phone and is reported to have been so preoccupied that he failed to rise promptly when the Pope finished his address and give at least polite applause. His colleagues, on the other hand, showed careful attention and courtesy.
I cannot believe that an Irish gentleman, from the North or the South, Protestant or Catholic, would behave in this way. It’s indeed an unwelcome sequel to Mr Kenny’s churlish remarks about the Holy See in the Dáil about a year ago. – Yours, etc,