Charles John Brown
Encyclopedia
Charles John Brown is the current nuncio to Ireland
since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI
on 26 November 2011. He had previously served as an official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
.
, MA (Theology), University of Oxford
(England), MA (Medieval Studies), University of Toronto
, M. Div Saint Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers (USA), STL and STD
(Sacramental Theology), Pontifical University St. Anselmo
, Rome
.
. From 1989 to 1991 he was assistant priest at St. Brendan's parish in the Bronx, New York City. Since 1994, an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He was appointed Chaplain of His Holiness, 6 May 2000. He was appointed Adjunct Secretary of the International Theological Commission in September 2009.
Msgr. Brown worked at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican department
that also dealt with the child abuse scandals since 1994, headed by the then Cardinal Ratzinger. Brown's appointment is viewed as an attempt to build bridges between Rome and the Irish Government by some quarters as he does not come from the Vatican diplomatic corps.
Giuseppe Leanza
, was transferred to the Czech Republic. Msgr Brown will be ordained to the episcopate on 6 January 2012.
However speaking to the Irish Independent
, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin
said he did not believe the appointment was an attempt by the Vatican to patch up relations with the Irish Government. He said the new papal nuncio was a "theologian" who was "much more focused on theology than relations between church and state". Msgr Brown is an unusual choice as he has no formal diplomatic training and never attended the elite Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy
which trains diplomats of the Holy See
. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York said that “What a good guy he is,” the Dolan added. “He’s a young, vibrant, very theologically savvy but pastorally sensitive guy.”
Among the main tasks of the new nuncio will be to assist the pope by sending recommendations to fill the vacancies
in the dioceses of Cloyne
, Derry, Kildare and Leighlin and Limerick as well as finding new bishops for sees in which the incumbents are serving past the retirement age: Bishop Colm O'Reilly
, Bishop Christopher Jones, and Bishop William Murphy
. Alternatively, these dioceses could be supressed or Church in Ireland
could be merged and reordered.
Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland
The Holy See, as the central government of the Catholic Church , has full diplomatic ties with Ireland as well as many other countries worldwide. The current Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland is Archbishop-elect Monsignor Charles John Brown...
since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on 26 November 2011. He had previously served as an official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition , and after 1904 called the Supreme...
.
Early life and education
Brown made the following academic studies: BA (History), University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
, MA (Theology), University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
(England), MA (Medieval Studies), University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, M. Div Saint Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers (USA), STL and STD
STD
STD may refer to:* Sexually transmitted disease* Doctor of Sacred Theology * São Tomé and Príncipe dobra, the ISO 4217 code for the currency of São Tomé and Príncipe...
(Sacramental Theology), Pontifical University St. Anselmo
Pontificio Ateneo Sant Anselmo
The Pontificio Ateneo Sant Anselmo is an educational institute of the Roman Catholic Church in Rome...
, Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
Priesthood
He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New York on 13 May 1989, in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, by John Cardinal O'ConnorJohn Cardinal O'Connor
John Joseph O'Connor was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of New York from 1984 until his death in 2000, and was created a cardinal in 1985...
. From 1989 to 1991 he was assistant priest at St. Brendan's parish in the Bronx, New York City. Since 1994, an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He was appointed Chaplain of His Holiness, 6 May 2000. He was appointed Adjunct Secretary of the International Theological Commission in September 2009.
Msgr. Brown worked at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican department
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
that also dealt with the child abuse scandals since 1994, headed by the then Cardinal Ratzinger. Brown's appointment is viewed as an attempt to build bridges between Rome and the Irish Government by some quarters as he does not come from the Vatican diplomatic corps.
Episcopal career
He was appointed Titular Archbishop of Aquileia and nuncio to Ireland by Pope Benedict in November 2011. Ireland had been without a papal representative since the former nuncio, ArchbishopArchbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Giuseppe Leanza
Giuseppe Leanza
Giuseppe Leanza was born in Cesaro, Italy. and ordained on 17 July 1966.-Early life:After being awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law, he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1972 and served at the pontifical representations in Paraguay, Uganda, the United States and in the section for...
, was transferred to the Czech Republic. Msgr Brown will be ordained to the episcopate on 6 January 2012.
However speaking to the Irish Independent
Irish Independent
The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper that is published in both compact and broadsheet formats. It is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media.-History:...
, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin
Diarmuid Martin
Diarmuid Martin is the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland. He was born in Dublin.-Early life and education:...
said he did not believe the appointment was an attempt by the Vatican to patch up relations with the Irish Government. He said the new papal nuncio was a "theologian" who was "much more focused on theology than relations between church and state". Msgr Brown is an unusual choice as he has no formal diplomatic training and never attended the elite Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy
Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy
The Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy is one of the Roman Colleges of the Roman Catholic Church. The academy is dedicated to training priests to serve in the diplomatic corps and the Secretariat of State of the Holy See....
which trains diplomats of the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York said that “What a good guy he is,” the Dolan added. “He’s a young, vibrant, very theologically savvy but pastorally sensitive guy.”
Among the main tasks of the new nuncio will be to assist the pope by sending recommendations to fill the vacancies
Appointment of Catholic bishops
The appointment of bishops in the Catholic Church is a complicated process. Outgoing bishops, neighbouring bishops, the faithful, the apostolic nuncio, various members of the Roman Curia, and the pope all have a role in the selection...
in the dioceses of Cloyne
Cloyne
Cloyne is a small town to the south-east of the town of Midleton in eastern County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. It is also a see city of the Anglican Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, while also giving its name to a Roman Catholic diocese...
, Derry, Kildare and Leighlin and Limerick as well as finding new bishops for sees in which the incumbents are serving past the retirement age: Bishop Colm O'Reilly
Colm O'Reilly
Colm O'Reilly is an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise.The youngest of seven children, O'Reilly was born to John and Alicia O'Reilly in Colmcille, County Longford. His eldest brother, Peter , was superior general of St...
, Bishop Christopher Jones, and Bishop William Murphy
William Murphy (Bishop of Kerry)
William Murphy , ordained as a priest in 1961, is since 1995 the Roman Catholic Bishop of Kerry.-Life:Murphy was born in Annaghmore, County Kerry, Ireland. He received his education at Ratheen National School and St Brendan’s College, Killarney...
. Alternatively, these dioceses could be supressed or Church in Ireland
Roman Catholicism in Ireland
The Catholic Church in Ireland is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, the Christian Church with full communion with the Pope, currently Benedict XVI...
could be merged and reordered.
See also
- List of the Catholic bishops of the United States #American bishops serving outside the United States