Cardinal Brady returns to Ireland

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Archbishop Sean Brady is due to arrive back in Ireland after being made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI during a ceremony in Rome at the weekend.

Cardinal Brady flies into Dublin Airport before travelling to Armagh on Wednesday evening to take part in Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral.

The head of the Catholic church in Ireland was among 24 new cardinals to be created at the special Consistory.

He will now be able to vote in the election of the next Pope.

Dr Brady was made Primate of All Ireland in October 1996, but now as a member of the College of Cardinals he will assist the pope in the governance of the church.

Ordained

The additional cardinals brings the total to 202 members. But Dr Brady will be one of only 121 members under the age of 80 who are allowed to vote.

Ireland now has three cardinals for the first time in its history, with Cardinal Cahal Daly and Cardinal Desmond Connell already in the roles, but unable to vote due to their age.

Dr Brady was born in 1939 at Drumcalpin, near Laragh in County Cavan, and after an early education in the local school he went to St Patrick's College, Cavan.

He then attended St Patrick's College, Maynooth and the Irish College in Rome.

In February 1995 he was ordained Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh and a year and a half later he became Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland October 1996.