The Dictator is dead

Jorge Videla the military caudillo who fronted the Argentine coup in 1976 has died from natural causes in a prison close to Buenos Aires. He had been serving a lie sentence for the murders of 31 people and baby theft. According to USA Today:

Videla's dictatorship also stood out from others in Latin America for its policy of holding pregnant prisoners until they gave birth, and then killing the women and arranging for illegal adoptions of their babies, usually by military or police families.

Videla had previously been imprisoned for his crimes against humanity but an amnesty allowed him to go free. Public pressure and the thirst for justice, however,  ensured he was returned to prison where he would spend the remainder of his days, a pariah who had visited a persecutory plague on Argentine society with his violence.

Argentinian delegation lay wreath at Arbour Hill in April 1966 as part of the 1916 commemorations

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Cardinal Hopes

1952 Irish rugby selection leaves for Argentina

In his Easter message Cardinal Sean Brady said he had high hopes for the new papacy under Pope Francis. The cardinal said, 'Pope Francis’s inspiring words have been supported by actions, which have provided iconic images beamed across the world.'




As our photo suggests Argentina, the home country of Pope Francis where as Jorge Bergoglio he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, has a long been identified with the world of sport. However it is also known for different reasons. In addition to producing Diego Maradona, the famed soccer player, it has also given the world Jorge Videla who is renowned for leading a massive assault on human rights during the military dictatorship of 1976-83.

Pope Francis's role during the country's Dirty War has been called into question although the Vatican has denied any wrongdoing on the part of the first non European pontiff.

President meets Pope

President Michael D Higgins represented Ireland at the inauguration of Pope Francis in Rome on Tuesday last. The President addressed the pope in Spanish.

President Hillery and Pope John Paul 11 - Ireland 1979

Pope Francis as Jorge Marie Bergoglio was cardinal of Argentina prior to his election to the papacy. In October President Higgins visited that country's capital. While there he unveiled a plaque in honour of Patrick Rice on the anniversary of his arrest. Rice, who died in 2010, was a missionary priest and human rights worker from Co Cork who was detained and tortured by Argentine security forces before pressure from the Irish government led to his release.

Cardinal Brady said he expects the new pontiff to be invited to Ireland. If Ireland is to host a papal visit it will be the country's first since 1979.

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We have a Pope

With the words 'Habemus Papem' the world was informed that a new man had been elected to lead the world's I.2 billion Roman Catholics. Pope Francis has stepped in to the shoes of his predecessor Pope Benedict who resigned after six years in the job.

However,  there may something rotten in the Kingdom of Denmark. Already there are investigative reporters digging into the past of Cardinal Jorge Mario former Arch Bishop of Buenos Aires. Human rights bodies and the Argentine Left accuse the new pontiff of having being linked to the Dirty War regime that governed Argentina from 1976 to 1983. During the period thousands of people were tortured, raped, murdered and disappeared by the government as it sought to close down opposition to its rule.

The Roman Catholic Church might not yet be free from the scandal that has dogged the Vatican in recent years.

1st October 1979 - Pope John Paul II visits Ireland

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