Archbishop Martin calls for re-opening of Church State forum

The Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin has called for the re-establishment of a national forum on Church-State dialogue on faith and social issues between the new Fine Gael / Labour government and the leaders of Ireland's main churches.  

The forum last met in April 2008 under the leadership of Bertie Aherne.  

However due to the severe economic crisis, his successor Brian Cowen did not have time to convene the forum. 

Speaking at a special multi-denominational service at Saint Ann's Church of Ireland on Dawson Street to mark the opening of the 31st Dáil, Archbishop Martin urged new Taoiseach Enda Kenny to reconvene the forum, which, he claimed, did much good work. 

The forum was first set up in 2007 and at the time the Primate of All Ireland Cardinal Seán Brady praised former Taoiseach Bertie Aherne for being the first head of government in Europe to establish an official body for talks between politicians and religious leaders.  

Indeed before leaving office Mr Aherne spoke of been mindful of the views of all religions and none that make up Irish society. 

He said he “'was acutely conscious of the large and growing number of our citizens who do not subscribe to any religious belief.  We must be acutely aware of how our democracy provides an inclusive and respectful approach to all our citizens, from whatever religious or philosophical perspective they come.”  

He also said, “from the perspective of Irish Republicanism, I believe that the political challenge is to build a society which has the allegiance of Catholic, Protestant and dissenter and free thinkers as well.”

Speaking at the service, Archbishop Martin told the congregation, which included the President Mary McAleese, current Taoiseach Enda Kenny and former Taoisigh Brian Cowen, Albert Reynolds and Garret Fitzgerald, that “church leaders were assured by former Taoiseach Bertie Aherne that the structured dialogue provided for in the Lisbon Treaty would continue as an official channel for them to express their views on matters relating to a multi-cultural society.” 

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