A Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive has called on First Minister Dr Ian Paisley to host a reception at Stormont for Cardinal Seán Brady.
SDLP Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, on a visit to London yesterday, said she had written to Dr Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, requesting that they recognise Ireland's newest cardinal with a special reception.
Cardinal Brady, who returns to Ireland today, was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict last Saturday at a consistory in Rome's St Peter's Basilica.
It was attended by Mr McGuinness, President Mary McAleese, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern and Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward.
Ms Ritchie said: "Cardinal Brady's elevation is a great honour for Ireland - North and South - and for all the places he has served during his long and distinguished ministry. It is something we can take pride in."
She continued: "As Archbishop Brady, he took his ministry into the most vital areas of our society, playing a key role at pivotal points of the peace process. He has also been a champion of the rights of the underprivileged, the deprived and the marginalised. People of all faiths and none can rejoice at his elevation.
"It would be appropriate for the Executive to recognise his contribution and celebrate his new status."
Cardinal Brady is due to arrive in Dublin airport at 10.20am today, where he will be welcomed by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
That will be followed by an inter-Church liturgical celebration at the airport chapel, which will be attended by the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin and his Church of Ireland counterpart, Most Rev John Neill.
The cardinal will then travel to Drogheda, accompanied by a Garda escort, where he will visit the shrine of St Oliver Plunkett in St Peter's Church at 12.30pm.
While in Drogheda he will also visit the Sienna convent and Collon monastery.
He is due in Ardee at 2.30pm and in St Patrick's, Dundalk, at 3.30pm.
He will leave Dundalk at 4.15pm and be met at the Border by a PSNI escort, which will accompany him to Armagh.
He will be met there by a parade in his honour at 7pm.
At 8pm he will celebrate his first Mass as a cardinal in St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh. It will be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1, on medium wave.
