Pope accepts resignation of Irish bishop, former papal secretary

March 24, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of an Irish bishop whose handling of sex-abuse complaints drew intense criticism from public officials and from his fellow bishops.

Bishop John Magee of Cloyne tendered his resignation on March 9, apparently at the request of the Holy See. The Vatican announced on March 24 that the bishop's resignation had been accepted. Bishop Magee had come under fire late in 2008 when a report by the independent National Safeguarding Board for Children said that the Cloyne diocese had put children at risk by failing to confront clerical abusers.

Several Irish bishops, as well as government leaders, quickly began pressing for Bishop Magee's resignation. In March 2009, reacting to those requests, Pope Benedict removed Bishop Magee from active control of the Cloyne diocese and appointed an apostolic administrator, Bishop Dermot Clifford, to handle diocesan affairs.

Before his appointment to the Cloyne diocese, Bishop Magee had served at the Vatican, where he was a personal secretary to three Popes: Paul VI, John Paul I, and John Paul II.

 

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Further information:

• Rinunce E Nomine (Holy See)
• Statement from Bishop John Magee on his resignation (Irish bishops' conference)
• Statement by Archbishop Clifford on the resignation of Bishop Magee (Irish bishops' conference
• Statement by Cardinal Seán Brady on the resignation of Bishop John Magee (Irish bishops' conference)