Seán Brady

Cardinal Seán Brady is quite a contrast to the other two surviving Irish cardinals.

He has none of the intellectual firepower of Cathal Daly. He has none of the arrogance or aloofness of Desmond Connell. There is a gentleness about him, a humility, a reserve, which is impressive. And there was a hurt to have been so publicly passed over when Desmond Connell was made Cardinal in 2001, a hurt now delightfully relieved by his recent elevation. Diarmuid Martin is likely to join him in the College of Cardinals soon, two votes for Ireland in the next Papal election.