Holy See publishes resignation statement of former papal secretary
March 26, 2010
A day after the Holy See announced the resignation of Bishop John Magee as Bishop of Coyne, the Vatican on March 25 took the extraordinary step of publishing the former papal secretary’s resignation statement.
“On 9 March 2010 I tendered my resignation as bishop of Cloyne to the Holy Father,” Bishop Magee said. “I have been informed today that it has been accepted, and as I depart, I want to offer once again my sincere apologies to any person who has been abused by any priest of the diocese of Cloyne during my time as bishop or at any time. To those whom I have failed in any way, or through any omission of mine have made suffer, I beg forgiveness and pardon.”
He continued:
As I said on Christmas Eve 2008 after the publication report of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, I take full responsibility for the criticism of our management of issues contained in that report.
On 7 March 2009 the Holy See appointed Fr. Dermot Clifford as apostolic administrator of the diocese of Cloyne. This was in response to a request I had made to be relieved of the burden of administering the diocese so that I could concentrate on co-operating with the Government Commission of Investigation into child protection procedures in the diocese in my capacity as bishop of Cloyne. I will of course continue to be available to the Commission of Investigation at any time.
I also sincerely hope that the work and the findings of the Commission of Investigation will be of some help towards healing for those who have been abused.
I welcome the fact that my offer of resignation has been accepted, and I thank the priests, religious and faithful of the diocese for their support during my time as bishop of Cloyne, and assure them of a place in my prayers always.
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Further information:
- Declaration On "Murphy Case", Statement Of Bishop Magee (VIS)
- Pope accepts resignation of Irish bishop, former papal secretary (CWN, 3/24)
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