Archbishop Eamon visits Irish Diaspora in United States
Archbishop Eamon Martin Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland has returned from a pastoral visit to the Irish diaspora in the United States to mark the 250th anniversary of its foundation. Having visited New York in 2025 for Mass and celebrations at St Patrick’s Cathedral New York, the Archbishop concentrated his visit this time in Chicago and Omaha.
He visited Old St Patrick’s Church in Chicago and celebrated Mass in the Cathedral of the Holy Name. Since its founding by Irish immigrants on Easter morning in 1846, Old St. Patrick’s has been interwoven with the life and history of the City of Chicago. Archbishop Eamon extended prayerful good wishes to Fr Pat McGrath SJ and to the parishioners, remarking the beautiful decoration and stained-glass windows commemorating the Irish saints and inspired by the Book of Kells.
At the Irish Information and Heritage Centre and a gathering hosted by the Irish Consulate in Chicago, Archbishop was able to thank the many people and organisations and church personnel who work to build connections between Ireland and USA and who continue to support Irish Emigrants abroad. Archbishop Eamon Martin was particularly moved by a visit to the Misericordia Heart of Mercy Centre in Chicago which provides compassionate, high-quality care for more than 650 children, young people and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Centre also supports families and fosters meaningful community connections. Through Catholic values and traditions, Misericordia strives to be a diverse and inclusive community of acceptance, respect, dignity, spirituality, and quality of life.
As a guest of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Archbishop Eamon Martin visited Omaha and the organisations’ national convention attended by more than 700 delegates from across the United States.
In Omaha he visited also the Columban Martyrs Memorial and Boys Town to meet the staff and community there and to pray at the tomb of Venerable Fr Edward Flanagan the inspirational founder of Boys Town.
Speaking in Omaha, Archbishop Eamon remarked how much he was encouraged by so many Irish Catholics he met. “I’ve been greatly encouraged by your willingness as to be witnesses, bringing faith to life; inserting faith, hope and charity into the reality of the world in which you live.” He recalled the words of Pope John Paul in Limerick about the apostolate of the laity when the saintly Holy Father had said:
“The great forces which shape the world—politics, the mass media, science, technology, culture, education, industry and work—are precisely the areas where lay people are especially competent to exercise their mission. If these forces are guided by people who are true disciples of Christ, and who are, at the same time, fully competent in the relevant secular knowledge and skill, then indeed will the world be transformed from within by Christ’s redeeming power”.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Medal
Archbishop Eamon Martin was honoured to receive from the AOH the 2026 John F. Kennedy Memorial Medal, presented during the 103rd Biennial Convention of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians which was attended on the night by the deputy Irish Ambassador to the United States, Fionnuala Quinlan.
In his acceptance address, Archbishop Eamon expressed his gratitude to the AOH and LAOH in America and reflected on the Catholic faith, Irish heritage and commitment to Christian charity that continue to shape the Hibernian tradition.
He recalled that one of the first awards he ever received was at the AOH Hall in Foyle Street, Derry, when, at the age of thirteen, he recited the Irish poem Anseo i lár an Ghleanna at Feis Dhoire Cholmcille.
Drawing on the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Remember the rock from which you were hewn, the quarry from which you were dug,” Archbishop Eamon thanked the Hibernian community for sustaining the connection between Catholic faith and Irish culture.
He said that cherishing faith, language, music, sport and culture should not become an exercise in nostalgia. Rather, a secure sense of identity can help people approach those from different traditions with confidence, generosity and respect.
A central theme of Archbishop Eamon’s address was the continuing work of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.
He acknowledged the painful history of division among Christians and recalled the statement of the Church leaders of Ireland in 2021 that the Churches had sometimes failed to communicate the deeper bond that unites all people as children of God.
He described reconciliation and community cohesion as “the unfinished work of peace” and said that the Good Friday Agreement had concerned more than the ending of violence.
“The Good Friday Agreement was not simply about the cessation of hostilities, the silencing of the bomb and the bullet,” he said. “It spoke clearly about the building of a peaceful society through a restoration of relationships.”
Archbishop Eamon stressed the need to sustain education, advocacy and practical work that brings people from different political, religious and cultural traditions into relationship with one another.
He also reflected on the changing face of Ireland and the presence of new communities in the Archdiocese of Armagh from India, East Timor, Eastern Europe and many other parts of the world.
Ireland, he said, can no longer be understood through a simple division between two traditions. The work of reconciliation must now also confront racism, hostility towards migrants and the negative “othering” of people.
Christians, Archbishop Eamon said, have a particular responsibility to continue building bridges.
“In my view it is compulsory for Christians to keep building bridges between our different traditions and similarly with the newcomer cultures and traditions on the island of Ireland.”
This work does not require anyone to abandon their own culture, faith or identity. Archbishop Eamon argued that the opposite is true. Those who understand and cherish their own story can meet others with confidence and work with them for the common good.
He concluded by thanking the AOH and LAOH for their friendship, unity and Christian charity, and prayed that their members would continue to draw strength from their Catholic faith in service of others.
Images Gallery from Archbishop’s Trip
Archbishop Eamon Martin’s visit to Omaha offered a valuable opportunity to meet members of the Irish diaspora and to celebrate the enduring bonds of faith, heritage and friendship that connect Ireland with Irish communities across the United States. During the 103rd Biennial Convention of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, he shared in the life of the Hibernian family and acknowledged their continuing commitment to the Church, to Irish culture and to the wider community.
