Pope accepts resignation of English bishop who admitted misconduct; bishop, husband grant interviews

October 06, 2014

On October 4, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Kieran Conry of Arundel and Brighton from his see.

The action came seven days after the bishop said that “going back some years, I have been unfaithful to my promises as a Catholic priest” and announced his resignation. According to British press reports, the bishop had affairs with two women in the past six years.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, the husband of one of the women discussed the actions he says he has taken over the past year amid the couple’s separation, including hiring a private investigator, obtaining phone records, meeting with the diocesan vicar general, and writing Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the apostolic nuncio.

“The power imbalance is obvious,” the husband added. “Bishop Conry was in a position of authority within an institution she loves and adores. He can justify just about any action to her because of who he is.”

In a separate interview, Bishop Conry characterized the relationship with the woman as a close friendship.

“I’ve never regretted being a priest,” he said. “I’ve never felt unhappy, I’ve enjoyed it and tried to do whatever was asked of me. I’ve always gone where I’ve been sent and I hope to do the same again.”

“When a priest makes a promise of celibacy, he promises to remain unmarried, that's all,” he continued. “Then the ordinary rules of morality apply.”

“But I'd like to make it clear I'm not calling for a change,” he added. “I did wrong. Celibacy may be a tradition rather than an article of faith but the vast majority of priests are faithful to their promise, faithful to what the Church expects of them. And I have great respect and admiration for that.”

 

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Further information:

• Rinunce e nomine (Holy See Press Office)
• 'Catholic bishop stole my wife - and despite proof of their obsessive relationship he STILL denies it' (Daily Mail)
• Catholic bishop who resigned after having an affair with parishioner reveals he wants to stay on as a priest (Daily Mail)
• Bishop of Arundel: New revelations about his women lead to more Catholic soul searching (The Telegraph)
• Bishop who quit over affair claims says he wants to remain a priest (The Guardian)
• English bishop resigns, admits misconduct (CWN, 9/29)