17th January 2013
The Holy See: Global and Local
It is often said that the Holy See is a hybrid of the global and the local. This is true. On the one hand, its global diplomatic network reaches into every corner of the world through its Apostolic Nuncios (Holy See ambassadors) to the capillary branches of bishops, priests, religious and lay people that make up the worldwide Catholic church. This is the network with which embassies like mine interact.
On the other hand, one of the principal tasks of the Holy See is the governance, through national Episcopal conferences, of the local church, down to parish level, with its specificities, local issues and individual histories. I was reminded of this recently, in conversation with a senior Vatican official, when he told me how difficult it was for the Holy See to convince local bishops to give up their best and brightest priests for work at the centre in Rome, be it in the Holy See tribunals, the diplomatic service, or the other offices that make up the running of the global church.
The tension will always be there. In the British diplomatic service, we have to remember (and sometimes be reminded) that we are representing the United Kingdom in all its local plurality, ethnicities, languages and cultures. And it is always a good idea after a foreign posting or two to return to London and be reminded of the realities of one’s own country. In the Church, local bishops want to support the Catholic Church’s global mission. But, sometimes, the needs of the diocese (where the priest has, in many cases, learned his business) will be paramount.
That said, I am delighted that although there are not many British priests in the Holy See diplomatic service, they are amongst the very best. Our congratulations go to Archbishop Paul Gallagher, who has been appointed the Holy See’s new nuncio to Australia. He may be a Papal ambassador. But he is a priest of Liverpool at heart!