The Irish saved civilization (of the Western variety, at least) once. Can they do it again, amid economic, cultural and religious calamity?The inaugural address today of the new Irish president, Michael D. Higgins, offers an inspiring road map:

"To close the chapter on that which has failed, that which was not the best version of ourselves as a people, and open a new chapter based on a different version of our Irishness - will require a transition in our political thinking, in our view of the public world, in our institutions, and, most difficult of all, in our consciousness.""In making that transformation, it is necessary to move past the assumptions which have failed us and to work together for such a different set of values as will enable us to build a sustainable social economy and a society which is profoundly ethical and inclusive. A society and a state which will restore trust and confidence at home and act as a worthy symbol of Irishness abroad, inviting relationships of respect and co-operation across the world.""We must seek to build together an active, inclusive citizenship; based on participation, equality, respect for all and the flowering of creativity in all its forms. A confident people is our hope, a people at ease with itself, a people that grasps the deep meaning of the proverb n neart go cur le chile' - our strength lies in our common weal - our social solidarity."

"Common weal?" Nice turn of phrase.No mention of the Catholic Church, or faith, however, which may be par for the course in such an address, but also perhaps a sign of the times, with Irish-Vatican relations at a low ebb and Irish Catholic opinions of the institutional church also in the tank. Maybe Ireland can save the church this time, too?Via Vox Nova