Sir. - With the arrival of the new Papal Nuncio, the Government has the opportunity of bringing about two simple reforms in the area of Church State relationships which would signal clearly that "the special posit ion of the Catholic Church" has been not only deleted from the Constitution, but given effect in reality.
Since 1930, when the first Nuncio was appointed, the Nuncio was automatically made Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in this country, and thereby assumes precedence over the other heads of mission, even though this State has no concordat with the Holy See. The State is not compelled to elevate the Nuncio to this status under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961): it chooses to do so.
It is interesting to note also that the Roman Catholic Cardinal and Primate takes precedence at State functions over the heads of all the other religious denominations. He is placed fourth in order, and comes immediately after An Tanaiste, and followed next by the Nuncio.
This unduly deferential granting of precedence to both office holders is not in keeping with the deletion, arising from the 1972 referendum, of "the special position of the Catholic Church" and neither is it sending the proper message to those unionists who have always cried "Home Rule is Rome rule". It will cost nothing to reform present practice: it needs, no legislation, merely an administrative decision. - Yours, etc.,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.