focused on theology than relations between church and state". Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan said that Brown was "young, vibrant, very theologically savvy but pastorally sensitive". In January 2014, Brown praised the decision of the Government of Ireland to re-open the Irish Embassy to the Holy See, though officials said it was expected to operate on "a smaller scale", perhaps as "a one-man operation". "Green shoots" Brown described the rebirth as the spring after 20 years of winter, saying he saw "green shoots." "You see a renewed enthusiasm among young Catholics in Ireland now," said Brown, who was appointed as papal ambassador in November 2011, at the cusp of the church's troubles stemming from a long-standing period of unreported clergy sexual abuse. The new generation of Catholics, some of whom are studying for the priesthood at Saint Patrick's College, the national seminary in Maynooth, or the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, will "lead the Church forward into the next decade," he said. Young Catholics represent what is best in the tradition of the Second Vatican Council, "the idea of communicating the ancient unchanging faith in a new, vibrant and attractive way," he said. However, in The Tablet, Fr Sean McDonagh wrote: "Figures on the bishops' own website show the age profile of Irish priests. Over 65 per cent of Irish priests are aged 55 or over. There are only two priests under the age of 40 in the Archdiocese of Dublin. A priest in Killala diocese, Fr Brendan Hoban, pointed out that there has been a priest and celebration of the Eucharist in his parish –Moygownagh – since the eighth century. But he believes he will be that last priest in that parish. At the moment there is a priest in every parish in Killala. Within 20 years there will be seven serving 22 parishes spread out over a wide area. The situation is much same in other dioceses. The research points out that to maintain the status quo would mean ordaining 82 priests each year. The reality is that 20 students entered Maynooth in September 2013. It is likely that only 10 or 12 will be ordained in 2020". "Caricature" In August 2015, Brown warned that the church's emphasis on a handful of social issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage and contraception allowed for a view of the church that was nothing more than "a caricature", ignoring its spirituality and