On the day of my appointment as archbishop, I borrowed St Paul's expression of pride in his native Tarsus by describing myself as a Dubliner, "a citizen of no mean city" (Acts 21:39). I owe my native city an incalculable debt on account of all it has given me throughout a long life spent almost entirely at home in Dublin.
Even though we all understand it instinctively, we find it hard to express in words what is meant by being "at home". Conveyed by that phrase is the human contentment in a secure sense of personal identity that derives its strength from the friendship of those with whom we share the joys and the sorrows of life. This is the social and civic reality that fosters a sense of belonging together - a social and civic reality that thrives on pride in its long history and achievements.
The poet William Dunbar addressed the city of London in the words: "O London, thou art of townes a per se." I address my own city: "O Dublin, thou art of townes a per se." Dublin is no mere agglomeration. It has soul and spirit and a personality matured by long historical experience. As the human body manifests externally a personal life, so this great city shows forth something of the countless personal efforts which have given it its special and unique appearance. And how profoundly has Dublin's personality been influenced by the religious life of its citizens.
St Paul's, Arran Quay
Seventy-five years ago I was brought for baptism to the parish church of my family: St Paul's, Arran Quay. There my parents had married a couple of months after the foundation of the State. Blessed Columba Marmion, who was baptised at the same font some 70 years earlier, said: "All the favours God may shower down upon our souls here below, until the day when he communicates himself to us forever in the beatitude of his Trinity, have for their first link this initial grace of baptism" (Christ the Life of the Soul, part 2, Ch 2).
The seed of divine life I received at baptism was enabled to grow through the fervent religious life of family, schools and city, until eventually I was ordained at Clonliffe as a priest of the diocese. After two years of study at Louvain, I was appointed to the staff of UCD, where I remained for 35 years until I was appointed Archbishop.
I am a Dubliner - priest and bishop in communion with Rome. But now by the extraordinary favour of the Pope I am to be a Roman as well. For by my appointment I am now associated in a special way with the Holy Father in the exercise of his mission as Peter's successor in the service of the universal Church. And so I have been assigned a titular Church in Rome, San Silvestro in Capite, which I took possession of on Low Sunday as a titular member of the clergy of the diocese of Rome.
Walk through the streets
Remembering my pledge to make the ecumenical task a special priority, I recall what I said in June last year when Archbishop Empey and I celebrated the Millennium Jubilee with our walk through the streets of the city. "St Mary's Pro-Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral, separated by the Liffey, symbolise much of Dublin's religious and political history. The walk from the Pro-Cathedral to Christ Church across the new millennium bridge is symbolic of our hopes for the future."
It was the feast of Pentecost in the great year of our commemoration of the birth of Christ and we recalled how the Holy Spirit was given to the Church by the Father through the redeeming death and resurrection of his Son. On that day the disciples went into the streets to bear witness to Christ.
In following their example we wanted to bear witness to the fundamental truths that unite us in the charity of Christ and to renew in the power of the Holy Spirit our commitment to work for the fullness of unity to which we are called.
How can I sufficiently express my gratitude to the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress for coming to Rome for the Consistory? Their presence was a deeply appreciated courtesy and gift, offered with personal friendship in the name of my native city. I thank also the other members of the City Council for their great kindness in travelling to Rome.
Since my appointment as Archbishop I have been greatly assisted in the service of my people by the long tradition of warm and close co-operation between the Corporation and the Diocese. Of course, I have not been unmindful of a personal bond with the Corporation through my maternal grandfather, who served for many years on its staff.
Great changes in Dublin
The Corporation and the diocese have faced the challenge of great changes in the city of Dublin. We face many problems together, of course, but I must offer warmest congratulations on the many initiatives that are progressively enhancing the appearance of the city and developing its amenities.
Fifty years ago I drove with the late Mgr Ronald Knox along the quays and even then he admired the scene by the river. But today it is wonderfully improved from Heuston Station as far as one can drive towards the estuary. The Millennium Bridge and the boardwalk are charming features. And the Corporation has ambitious plans for O'Connell Street.
The beautiful restoration of City Hall provides a ceremonial centre for civic occasions, a historical centre worthy of a European capital city. And there are the many parks so imaginatively planted and on which so much care is lavished.
I pledge myself to continue the co-operation which has brought us mutual advantage and I pray that Dublin may have reason to rejoice in its Cardinal.