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The leader of the Irish Catholic Church will make history and attend the British Royal Wedding in London next week.

Catholic Primate Cardinal Sean Brady has accepted the ground breaking invitation to Friday week’s ceremony.

Cardinal Brady will join Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Alan Harper at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London’s Westminster Abbey.

A spokesman for Ireland’s Catholic bishops told the Irish Times newspaper that both the invitation and its acceptance were ‘unprecedented’.

The spokesman added that Cardinal Brady’s invitation is due recognition for his contribution to the peace process.

“He was the first Catholic primate to attend a Church of Ireland general synod and to attend the installation of a Presbyterian moderator,” said the spokesman.

“He was the first to meet members of the Orange Order as well as loyalist paramilitaries, and he was the first to meet the Rev Ian Paisley.”

The cardinal has also encouraged Catholics to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland and presided at the funeral of Catholic PSNI constable Ronan Kerr who was murdered in Omagh.

Just last month, Cardinal Brady welcomed the forthcoming visit of Queen Elizabeth to the Republic.

“This is an important religious and civic event and a mark of the mutual respect that exists between our two countries,” said Cardinal Brady.

“It demonstrates the bonds of friendship between the Church of Ireland and Catholic Church in Ireland.”

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