Vatican preparing to replace Irish primate?

October 15, 2012

The Vatican will soon announce a replacement for Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, the Primate of All Ireland, the Irish Independent reports.

Cardinal Brady has been under pressure to resign because of his mishandling of the sex-abuse scandal. To date the cardinal has said that he will not step down. But the Independent reports that the Vatican will soon appoint a coadjutor archbishop, who will be prepared to take over as Archbishop of Armagh (and thus successor to St. Patrick), when Cardinal Brady resigns. It is not clear whether the cardinal would remain in office until his 75th birthday, which will come in August 2014.

The cardinal’s successor will probably not come from the current ranks of the Irish hierarchy, the Independent says. The leading candidates are reportedly Irish priests currently working in Rome or elsewhere abroad.

 

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Further information:

• Scandal-hit Brady to go as new cardinal lined up (Irish Independent)
• Ireland's Cardinal Brady trims public schedule; replacement may come soon (CWN, 5/15)