Ireland's Catholic bishops gathered at St Patrick's College Maynooth last night to pay tribute to Mr Jim Cantwell, director of the Catholic Press and Information Office, and Father Sean Melody, director of the Catholic Communications Institute of Ireland (CCII), who are retiring.
The Catholic Primate, Archbishop Sean Brady, made a presentation to both men, noting that Mr Cantwell had been in the job since May 1975.
"He had been there longer than Pope John Paul," he said, and remarked on the great changes there had been in Irish society during that period.
He thanked him for his advice, his support, his candid assessment and insights which had been very helpful to him since he was appointed Primate.
Referring to Father Melody, Dr Brady complimented him on his reorganisation of the CCII and the refurbishment of Veritas on Abbey Street in Dublin.
Mr Cantwell said the changes which had taken place since he assumed the role 25 years ago had been "rapid and profound". But they were already under way even then. "Obviously they have been more difficult over the last decade". He had seen the job as an adventure.
Father Melody said he preferred to see himself as "director of Veritas", a post he has held since 1993.
He had learned an enormous amount in the job and he thanked those who had encouraged him to take it up.
He finished by telling guests that June 12th had a special significance for him and his family. On that date in 1940 his parents had married. They had had four children, all of whom have tried to get together on that day since, including last night, and did so with their parents until they died in 1992.
