The Archbishop of Dublin Dr. Diarmuid Martin has said the announcement that Archbishop Sean Brady is to be made a Cardinal, is a sign that Pope Benedict may be interested in a visit to Northern Ireland.
Dr. Martin made his comments as he was giving the inaugural Irish Institute of New York Lecture at Glucksman House in Greenwich Village. Glucksman House is the centre of Irish Studies in New York University.
Archbishop Martin again expressed his public congratulations to Archbishop Sean Brady on the announcement that he is to be made Cardinal.  “Archbishop Brady has quietly, day by day, used his wonderful talents as a listener and a bridge builder in sustaining the peace process. “he said, “I see his appointment also as a sign of the interest of Pope Benedict to come to Northern Ireland, if not in the immediate future.   Such a visit, alongside one of Queen Elizabeth to Dublin, would have symbolic meaning of ending an era of our history and opening to something new, North and South.
In a wide ranging address, entitled “New Ireland, New Church,” Archbishop Martin spoke of the changes brought about in Irish society by increased economic success, which he said must be recognised and celebrated. He said that Ireland has changed and that the Church’s role is not to react and adapt but to be present and provide its own leadership.