The other week, while attending a week long international conference at The Vatican on adult stem cell technology, several of the world's leading scientists and medical doctors were having lunch inside the Vatican when the conversation soon turned to the recent announcement by the Irish government that it was to close its embassy to The Holy See.
A leading French diplomat told us that the reason stated by the Irish government was finances.
Ireland is experiencing such serious economic times that it had no choice was the reason given by Ireland's prime minister.
We had been invited to attend the historic conference to hear Pope Benedict declare his support for adult stem potential, and to listen to examples of its success from many of the world's leading scientists and doctors.
One renowned medical doctor who studied in Ireland said that while he was not Catholic he was nevertheless shocked by the announcement of the embassy closure by the Irish government.
The people of Ireland once seemed very close to their Catholic faith. Even when their own government let them down, it was always the Catholic Church which stood shoulder with the people.
This was particularly the situation in Ireland's long and brutal struggle for its independence from England.
Another scientist at the conference, from Australia but who had lived in London for several years said: "the Vatican was one of the first countries in the world to recognize Ireland's independence from England. That was very unpopular in many parts of the world."
I was frankly stunned that just about everyone at our table had an informed opinion about the closure announcement. I raised the issue with one of the pope's leading Irish-born diplomats at the Vatican, one who had spent the past eight years working in Africa, but was nevertheless very familiar with the situation in Ireland.
"Ireland is no doubt is experiencing difficult economic times, but I am still optimistic about it's future. We have a well educated and motivated workforce, ready to go back to work," he said.
"People are frustrated and the government is likely acting irrationally. We will no doubt recover from this economic crisis."
An economist who advises The European Union later told us that governments throughout the world, including the United States, had poorly handled their national finances. This had caused great anger and frustration with millions and millions of people, while government leaders had proven to be incapable of responsibly dealing with the problem.
Despite the public response to the decision by the Irish government to order the Vatican embassy to be closed, the media persisted with the position that the real reason was over the church's handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal.
Whatever the real motivation behind the decision it was shortsighted and counter productive and it should be looked at again and revaluated. What has been an historic and valuable relationship between these two great institutions, Ireland and the Vatican, is still important for world stability and peace.
When I returned to Boston from Rome I addressed the Golden Bridges gathering, an event which recognized the trade partnership between Boston, Massachusetts and Ireland, the Northwest of the island in particular.
At the Golden Bridges luncheon, which was attended by Ireland's outstanding consul general in Boston Michael Lonergan and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, I explained the comments I heard from the Catholic Church to the removal of the Irish ambassador to the Holy See from the Villa Spada.
The decision had caused deep surprise and resentment on the part high ranking Vatican officials.
Sure, I said, countries have differences of opinion from time to time, but the last thing you ever do is to break off diplomatic ties and dialogue.
While at the Vatican I was at one point in the presence of the Holy Father. I would have loved to ask him about the situation, but one thing I learned long before I became a mayor or an ambassador was never to put another leader in an embarrassing position.
The church was obviously hurt by the decision of the Irish government. You may win the battle, but you're likely to lose the war. The greatest asset a leader can exercise is humility and honesty. Maybe society wouldn't be in such decline today if our political leaders exercised those valuable qualities.
But, as I often said, you're not going to change the personality of politicians, but the voters can certainly change our political leaders.
As I told the audience at Golden Bridges: "the Irish are a people we admire, and the Catholic faith is a religion we love."
Nobody is going to change our mind about that, but we can't allow the enemies of the church to drive a wedge between us. We need courageous moral and political leadership, not pandering to the political extremes.
