Fourteen years ago tonight, at midnight, I arrived in New York to assume possession, as we say canonically, of the archdiocese as the archbishop. As many of you have heard me say, not a day has gone by since that I have not been lavishly introduced as Cardinal Cooke, my predecessor. In reflecting on that while reading a story provided by Bishop Comiskey of Ferns, I thought I would read the story to you.

Some years ago the historian Seamus Heaney, on a visit to Wexford and Boolavogue, thought he might have by-passed the village and stopped there to ask an old man for directions.

He thought he might make a favorable impression by asking the old man, "Boolavogue is where the famous Father John Murphy of 1798 fame ministered, isn't it?"

"You're right, sir," replied the ancient Wexford man, "but I think they have a new priest there now!"

I want to read a historian who describes the period immediately before the 1798 Rising and therefore gives us the reasons for that rebellion. He lists some of them.

"Catholics were forbidden to stand for parliament or local councils or vote for those who did, to hold positions in the civil service, on civic boards or in law, or commissions in the army or navy, to make or sell books or newspapers, to take out or give mortgages, to own arms or a horse worth more than five pounds, to marry a Protestant. Registered priests were tolerated, but not bishops, archbishops or cardinals. Catholics could not have their own schools, teach or send their children abroad to be educated. The ownership of land by Catholics was hedged around with restraints and restrictions. When a Catholic died, his estate was to be divided amongst all his children. But a son who became Protestant inherited his father's entire estate."

This was the reality prior to 1798. These were the circumstances that festered as a terrible wound. Given the fact that there were Protestants who could profit by those conditions, and some who did, it is that much more to their credit, and we must acknowledge this today, that many Protestants were repelled by this and joined in with the Catholics in the uprising to form the "United Men of Ireland." Here is the oath that they took, Protestant and Catholic alike: "I will persevere in endeavoring to form a brotherhood of affection among Irishmen of all persuasions."

Those of you who have received or will receive the colorful parade book for the 237th St. Patrick's Day Parade will be able to read a remarkable article written by Bishop Brendan Comiskey, Bishop of Ferns, concelebrating with us today. Bishop Comiskey cites the words of historian Kevin Whalen, who shares a remarkable insight:

"A window of opportunity was opened in Ireland by the impact of the American and French revolutions: that moment was brilliantly seized by the United Irishmen who imaginatively created a vision of a nonsectarian, democratic and inclusive politics, which could attract and sustain Irish people in all their inherited complexities. Rather than seeing religious, ethnic and political diversity as a disabling problem, the United Irishmen saw it as a glorious opportunity to construct a wider, more tolerant and generous vision of Irish identity. Rather than clinging to a divisive past, the United Irishmen sought to create a shared future."

Bishop Comiskey observes:

"The '98 Rising was born out of a shared vision of basic human dignity and rights. It was about a people's rightful power, their independence and self-determination. It was about the right of a people to rule themselves in parliament. It was about religious freedom for all.

"The driving force behind 1798 was a growing awareness throughout Europe and the New World that people, could, should and now did begin to shape their own lives, take charge of their own destiny.

"The vision for which they died was of all Irish men and women united and governing themselves with freedom of religion for all. Ulster Presbyterian, Church of Ireland, Roman Catholic dreamed that dream and gave their lives for it."

In my own judgment as an Irish-American, Bishop Comiskey's insight into the passionate Irish dream of true unity, unity born of profound respect of Protestant for Catholic and Catholic for Protestant, is much more reflective of those who are truly Irish than of those who make a profession of either ridiculing or dismissing the Irish cause. Too often it is accepted as gospel truth that the Irish are by nature and by choice the most contentious and religiously bigoted people in the world. To portray the Irish as inherently committed to peace with justice and even love for all is to risk ridicule. My father was the 13th of 13 children in his family, the only one born in the United States. I grew up surrounded by uncles and aunts and cousins as Irish and Catholic as they could be. Never did I hear a word of hostility toward Protestants, or Jews, or anyone else. I have little doubt but that the climate in which I grew up reflected my extended family's recollections of things past, and their determination that the future must differ radically. The words of Judge Francis T. Murphy would have been immensely meaningful to them.

"They remember mass starvation, and those who caused it. They remember bloody oppression, and those who caused it. They remember the fright of knock at the door, and those who caused it...We know (such Irish say) what suffering is like, therefore we have no excuse for allowing it to be inflicted on others."

Finally, Bishop Comiskey urges with deep passion:

"This year, from their graves, the 30,000 dead of 1798 cry out to the living: 'Do not desecrate our holy burial ground with talk of Irish brother against Irish brother, or Irish sister against Irish sister.

"Do not come on pilgrimage here to speak words of violence which will once again change peaceful lands into killing fields.

"Do not mock us with speeches that send out young Irish boys and girls to kill other young Irish boys and girls.

"No more violent words that murder just as truly as bullets do, no more bloodshed, no more violence, no more killing. Killing never again.

"For our part we who are the heirs of men and women of '98, in their name and in their memory, must think peace, dream peace, talk peace, pray peace, live peace, make peace, spread peace, love peace, be peace."

Bishop Comiskey's words could well be those of St. Paul writing to the people of Rome, the letter read to us in today's Mass.

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all the members have the same function, so too we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the favor bestowed on each of us...One who is a teacher should use his gift for teaching; one with the power of exhortation should exhort. He who gives alms should do so generously; he who rules should exercise his authority with care... Your love must be sincere. Detest what is evil, cling to what is good. Love one another with the affection of brothers."

This is why from this pulpit a few weeks ago, when we were on the verge of war in Iraq, I publicly pleaded with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, to go to Iraq to try to prevent war--not dishonorably, but to try to prevent war and bring about an honorable and just peace.

Bishop Comiskey's words could well be those of Pope John Paul II in his continuing plea, echoing Pope Paul VI's words spoken right here in New York: "No more war. War never again."

No Irishman has done more to advance the cause of peace with justice for all in Ireland than His Eminence Cahal Cardinal Daly, who is concelebrating with us here today. For years Cardinal Daly has written and preached earnestly for a reconciliation of all differences. Indeed, he has carried out in our day the dream of 1798 to work side by side with Protestants and all others of good will to achieve the cause of peace. Just a few years ago, Cardinal Daly came to my residence with the Anglican Archbishop of Ireland and a leading clergyman of the free churches in Ireland for a dinner uniting Protestant and Catholic. This was but one of their stops on a tour of various cities committed to the same goal.

It was fitting, however, that they would come here first. If there is any city in the United States in a position to exemplify and to advance the cause of unity it is surely New York. In the Archdiocese of New York, in the Catholic Church alone, we celebrate Masses in 30 different languages every Sunday. This is of the very nature of this remarkable city. We are given opportunity not given to all to lead the way toward ethnic and religious harmony. No people has a greater obligation to help this city lead the way than do the peoples of Irish blood, for no people have had to struggle harder to exercise their right to be Protestant, to be Catholic, to be Jewish, while still being proudly, quintessentially and unapologetically Irish.

This is the text of Cardinal O'Connor's homily in St. Patrick's Cathedral on the feast of St. Patrick, March 17.