Outgoing Irish bishop accepts responsibility for role in abuse cover-up
April 22, 2010
In a statement confirming that Pope Benedict XVI has accepted his resignation, Bishop James Moriarty of Kildare and Leighlin repeated his acknowledgment that he bore some responsibility for the mishandling of sexual abuse in the Dublin archdiocese.
Although he was not directly criticized for his actions as in Dublin in the Murphy report, he said, "from the time I became an auxiliary bishop, I should have challenged the prevailing culture." He apologized to abuse victims in his statement.
Bishop Moriarty had offered his resignation last December, and in February he predicted that the Pope would accept the offer; he told his diocese that he expected the issue would be settled "not far beyond Easter." The Pope formally accepted the resignation on April 21.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Statement from Bishop Jim Moriarty (RTE)
- Pope accepts resignation of another Irish bishop (CWN, 4/21)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
