McAleese ‘writes to the Pope’ in storm over Vatican ban
MARY McAleese has written to the Pope after she was prevented from speaking at a conference that was due to be held in the Vatican, it is believed.
The list of speakers for the event required approval from a cardinal – but the former president was not granted permission to take part.
It has been reported that Dublin-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell objected to Mrs McAleese’s strong support for gay rights.
As a result of objections raised, the annual Voices of Faith conference, marking International Women’s Day, has now been moved to a venue outside the Vatican City. Mrs McAleese has also been invited to be a keynote speaker at this event, titled ‘Why Women Matter’, and taking place on March 8.
A spokesperson for the event said they have still received no explanation as to why Cardinal Farrell, who is the prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life in the Vatican, refused permission to Mrs McAleese – who has a gay son – and two other speakers. Ssenfuka Joanita Warry, an LGBT rights activist from Uganda, was also barred.
Following claims that the decision may have been influenced from Ireland, the Archbishop of No link: Archbishop Martin Dublin has come out to say he had nothing to do with it.
A statement on behalf of Diarmuid Martin said he ‘first heard that a decision had been made to exclude Mary McAleese from the speakers for the Voices of the Faith conference from Mrs McAleese herself’.
It added: ‘Neither Archbishop Martin nor his offices were consulted by the Vatican in relation to this matter.’
Chantal Gotz – executive director of Voices of Faith, which organises the event – said: ‘It was disappointing to realise, on International Women’s Day of all days, these women who have accomplished so much in their communities could be turned away from respectfully sharing their stories and experiences as Catholics.
‘This event allows us to not only celebrate the wonderful work Catholic women are doing across the globe, but also create discussion and dialogue on the current
‘An event for all God’s children’
power and leadership structures of our Church today.’ It is understood Mrs McAleese has written to Pope Francis about the issue.
The Pope is due to visit Ireland as part of the World Meeting of Families, taking place in Dublin in August. In what may be seen as a pointed remark on gay rights, Archbishop Martin said he hoped the event will be ‘inclusive’.
Previously, sources suggested Cardinal Farrell played a significant role in the removal of six photographs of same-sex couples from World Meeting of Families booklets that were circulated to Irish parishes before Christmas.
Mrs McAleese criticised the removal of the images and called for their restoration. She said the event was intended ‘for all God’s children’, in particular those who have been marginalised and excluded in the past.
The Association of Catholic Priests last night said it regrets both the removal of pictures of same-sex couples from the booklets and the barring of Mrs McAleese from the conference.
It said: ‘While it is unclear by whose direction the booklet was amended, it runs directly counter to the effort to extend the definition of family to include same-sex couples and to welcome them, as all Catholics are welcomed, to participate in the WMOF.’