David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very heartened by the general support I have received from colleagues. This motion was put before the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and passed unanimously. It now goes before the House.

The reason I came up with this idea is that there are very few world leaders who have any kind of vision at all. In the person of Pope Francis, we have someone with a prophetic, compelling and comprehensive vision. In my opinion, if anyone needed proof of the existence of God and of the Holy Spirit, this man is it. How he was found among a collection of cardinals appointed by his two predecessors is a genuine miracle. He is an extraordinary person. I am a realist. I am an Anglican and have no intention of changing my religion because I am impressed by this man. I also do not believe he is going to campaign for gay marriage or women priests. However, he has changed the entire climate of debate within the Catholic church, allowing for genuine dialogue. Christendom is in a perilous state. This is a man who has spotted the iceberg and is trying to turn Titanic around.

On his first appearance on the Vatican balcony, I felt the exceptional goodness of this person, even mediated through the electronic broadcast media. He had something of the spirit of the beloved Pope John XXIII with his rejection of pomp, circumstance and majesty. We have heard less of that rather bullying language traditionally used by the Vatican, the language of magisterium, authority and all the rest of it. This is a man of genuine of Christ-like humility. The fact he took the name Francis is very significant. There is an arrogance and megalomania of the human animal that sees itself as the only significant life force on Earth. The name Francis reminds us of our need to care for other life forms in this world.

By addressing Seanad Éireann and coming to Ireland, he would give us all a lift at this time in our history. He brings hope, joy and community. It is not just a sentimental thing. I did feel a strong emotional draw towards him when he came out on the balcony and refused to be decorated like a Christmas tree. There is real substance to what he does and says. He says, “I am a sinner”. There is a lack of arrogance in that.

He lives a modest lifestyle and demonstrates his solidarity with the marginalised. For example, there was the moving occasion when he celebrated mass on an upturned boat at Lampedusa in solidarity with the marginalised African peoples trying to get to Europe because of their desperate economic, political and human rights plight. He is concerned for the unemployed and economic disparities. He has recognised the whole financial system needs to be addressed. It is perfectly clear that the obsession with the minutiae of human sexuality is on the backburner as far as this Pope is concerned. He is dealing with real issues which affect everyone. He speaks from the heart about a church that knows the dirt, the poverty and the distress of the streets.

I am not sure he will be able to accept an invitation to address the Seanad. He has two roles as the leader of the largest Christian denomination and as a Head of State. Ireland, however, has a special place in the history of the church. It also has a special place in his life, as he was partly educated at Milltown. I hope he has happy memories of his time in Ireland. I also hope this motion is passed unanimously and referred back to the delicate machinery of diplomacy in order that this might be accomplished. I thank my colleagues on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges who passed this motion unanimously, as well as the advice given by Deirdre Lane, Jody Blake and the rest of the staff on the delicate diplomatic negotiations required.

I think this would be a healing process. Perhaps it is too much to hope that if he was able to come, he would be able to visit the North of Ireland. Would that not be a fantastic thing if he - a good, simple, ordinary man who reaches out to the hearts of everybody, whether they have religion or none - was able to go to that part of our island and help to reconcile people? If he could at least come here, I, for one, would be humbled to sit in his presence.