Desmond Cardinal Connell

His Eminence Desmond Cardinal Connell is a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, and formerly Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland. He was born in Dublin on 24th March 1926.

Early Life and Education

Educated at St. Peters National School, Phibsboro and the Jesuit Brother's second level school, Belvedere College, he studied for the priesthood at Holy Cross College, Clonliffe. Desmond Connell studied Arts at University College Dublin(UCD) and graduated with a BA in 1946, and in 1947 was awarded an MA the following year. Between, 1947 and 1951, Desmond Connell studied theology at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth. This led to the award of a Bachelor of Divinity degree.

Ordination and Early Work

Cardinal Connell was ordained priest by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid on 19th May, 1951 and continued his studies at the University of Louvain, Belgium where he was awarded a doctorate in 1953.

Following this, Desmond Connell returned to Ireland, and took up a teaching post at the Department of Metaphysics in UCD, where he was to enjoy a distinguished career. He was appointed Professor of General Metaphysics in 1972 and in 1983 becaome the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology. In 1981 he was awarded a D.Litt by the National University of Ireland.

Archbishop of Dublin

Dr Connell was unexpectedly appointed Archbishop of Dublin by the Holy See in early 1988 and was consecrated in the Pro-Cathedral, Dublin on 6 March 1988. He was created Cardinal by Pope John Paul II at the Consistory in Rome on 21 February 2001 with the Titular S. Silvestro in Capite.

Resignation

On the 26th of April, 2004, Demond Connell resigned as archbishop, handing the diocese over to the co-adjutor Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. He resigned at the age of 78. His term as archbishop was marked by a series of controversies over child sex abuse scandals within the Irish Catholic Church and marked conservatism of thought and action. Still a cardinal, Connell was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI. Desmond Connell would be considered quite close to Pope Benedict, both theologically and personally, both having served together on a number of congregations.

Published Works

Cardinal Connell has had a number of works published on philosphical or pastoral issues.

These include: Essays in metaphysics, Four Court Press, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, 1996 ISBN 1851822283

Christian integrity: does it matter? : pastoral letter for Lent 1992, Veritas, Dublin, 1992 ISBN 1853902055

Christ our life: pastoral letter 1993, Veritas Publications, 1993 ISBN 1853902861

Christ our life: pastoral letters, 1988–95, Four Courts Press, Blackrock, Co. Dublin ISBN 1851822070

There was also one work published in his honour:

At the heart of the real: philosphical essays in honour of Dr Desmond Connell, Archbishop of Dublin edited by Fran O'Rourke, Irish Academic Press, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, 1992 ISBN 0716524643 .

Episcopal Motto

His Episcopal Motto, Secundum Verbum Tuum (According to Thy Word) is taken from Marys response to Gods call at the Annunciation, be it done unto me according to thy word (Luke 1:38).