Irish Church awaits word on possible bishops' resignations

December 14, 2009

Irish Catholics are waiting to learn whether Bishop Donal Murray of Limerick—and perhaps other Irish bishops who were implicated in the mishandling of sex-abuse complaints—will be asked to resign. Other Irish bishops involved in the Dublin scandal are also hearing calls for their resignations.

Bishop Murray remains in Rome this week, still conferring with Vatican officials about his situation. He has reportedly met with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. But to date, informed sources say, Bishop Murray has not met with Pope Benedict.

In Dublin, Bishop Leo O’Mahoney resigned from the board of a charitable organization, the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, citing the “unfavorable criticisms” aimed at him in the Murphy Commission report. Bishop O’Mahoney—who is no longer active in pastoral work, having resigned in 1996 at the remarkably early age of 61—has reportedly been asked by Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin to remove himself from any archdiocesan functions.

 

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Further information:

• Catholic Church in Ireland to undergo ‘major’ restructuring (CNA)
• Bishop Murray to have second meeting in Rome (Irish Times)
• Under fire Bishop Donal Murray to await Vatican fate (BBC)
• Former bishop gives up role in charity after criticism in report (Irish Times)
• Theologian says bishops should resign (RTE)