The Catholic Church has a developed ecumenical theology since Vatican II. We see Pope Francis extending the olive branch to the Orthodox Church and is very welcoming to all faiths, including non-faiths.

Yet, we have in Ireland, Papal Nuncio Charles Brown denying common Eucharist to an Ecumenical Gathering that is celebrating 50 years. This is absolutely incomprehensible, as well as, offensive. I cannot see Pope Francis condoning this decision. Does he intervene? If he doesn't, that would be consistent with having all the nice words, but, when "push" comes to "shove", who's listening?

What kind of Catholic Christian leadership is being demonstrated by Papal Nuncio Charles Brown? None. Not only is he tramping on the work of Catholic Ecumenism, but, he is doing it in Ireland, where continued sectarian violence was evident once again on the weekend of July 12-14th.

When the rubber meets the road with our Ecumenical theology and assumed practice of it, we should be welcoming other Christians to the banquet of Christ, particularly, in situations where there is already established a relationship as divine brothers and sisters. Surely, even if Papal Nuncio Charles Brown is "deaf" and "blind" to what Jesus Christ stands for, there must be other bishops in Ireland, who cannot support his decision, isn't there? What is going on? This, as I say, especially in a country where protestant/catholic relations are still in need of reconciliation. As the popular saying goes, "If you are not part of the solution, you must be part of the problem."

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