Embattled Irish bishop resigns as chair of relief agency
November 08, 2012
An Irish bishop who has been under pressure to resign because of his handling of the sex-abuse scandal has stepped down from his post as chairman of the Irish bishops’ foreign-aid agency.
Bishop John Kirby of Clonfert asked Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh to appoint a new chairman for Trócaire, after acknowledging that he had not responded properly to sex-abuse complaints in the 1990s. The bishop also recognized that he had caused offense by public statements earlier this year suggesting that an abusive relationship may have been “a friendship that crossed a boundary line.”
The remaining board members of Trócaire “acknowledged and welcomed” Bishop Kirby’s statement and his decision to resign as chairman.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Irish Bishop Kirby who claimed pedophilia was friendship ‘gone too far’ steps down from charity position (Irish Times)
- Audit on abuse prompts new criticism of Irish hierarchy (CWN, 9/5)
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!
