Pope Accepts Resignation of Bishop of Limerick, Ireland

(17 Dec 09 - RV) On Thursday Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Bishop Donal Murray from the pastoral leadership of the diocese of Limerick, Ireland, according to code 401 article 2 of the code of Canon Law.

Bishop Murray was formally an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Dublin.

Speaking this morning to the people of his diocese in St John’s Cathedral he said: “I have heard the views of many survivors [of clerical sex abuse ed], especially in the days following the publication of the Murphy Report. Some expressed the wish that I should resign; others asked me not to do so. I know full well that my resignation cannot undo the pain that survivors of abuse have suffered in the past and continue to suffer each day. I humbly apologise once again to all who were abused as little children. To all survivors of abuse I repeat that my primary concern is to assist in every way that I can, on their journey towards finding closure and serenity.

“A bishop is meant to be a person who seeks to lead and inspire all the people of the diocese in living as a community united in the truth and love of Christ. I asked the Holy Father to allow me to resign and to appoint a new bishop to the Diocese because I believe that my presence will create difficulties for some of the survivors who must have first place in our thoughts and prayers”.