Vatican Nuncio Advised Irish Government on Unity

IRISH NEWS, Jan. 7 — Documents newly released reveal the Vatican's nuncio to Ireland advising Dublin on the best tactics to adopt to achieve a united Ireland in the 1970s.

Archbishop Gaetano Alibrandi noted that 52% of the children in Northern Ireland at the time were Catholic and that Dublin should work to secure their rights so that they would not emigrate. Combined with a hoped-for proportional representation in elections, this would help put at least three counties under nationalist control, the Belfast daily reported.

Archbishop Alibrandi believed that unity in Ireland was “inevitable.” The papal representative, who spoke with the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Hugh McCann, on Oct. 19, 1971, also said that violence was coming as much from the British army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary as it was from the Catholic minority. He called the British government's attitude toward the north “cynical” and “perfidious.”

The communication about the meeting was released under a rule that makes government documents public after 30 years.

Polish Head Invites Pope and Discusses Economy

PAP, Jan. 3 — The prime minister of Poland, Leszek Miller, briefed Pope John Paul II on the situation in his country and the goals of Poland's foreign policy, according to the Polish news agency. In a private, 40-minute meeting, Miller also invited the Pope to visit his native Poland in 2002.

In a statement, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the two men discussed European integration and the international situation. Miller told reporters after the meeting that he focused on economic issues and steps launched by the government to stabilize the situation in public finances. He said he appreciated the support of Poland's bishops for European integration and said it may be of great importance in an upcoming referendum on Poland's membership in the European Union.

The head of Poland's government also spoke with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, on European integration and relations with Russia.

Indonesians Pray for Peace at Vatican Christmas Mass

ANTARA, Jan. 4 — At a Christmas Mass in the Indonesian embassy at the Vatican, a delegation of Indonesians representing 16 provinces prayed for peace in their country and expressed hope that Indonesia soon would resolve its economic problems and communal conflicts, according to the country's national news agency.

Father Kusmaryanto Putra, in a homily, quoted Pope John Paul's message for World Day of Peace 2002 that there can be no peace without justice and no justice without apology and forgiveness.

Christians and Muslims have been battling in eastern Indonesia for several years. Recent flare-ups have included Muslim attacks against churches.