Three more bishops to quit ‘within weeks’

THE resignations of three more Irish bishops will be accepted by the Pope in the coming weeks following the departure yesterday of the Bishop of Cloyne.

Bishop John Magee tendered his resignation two weeks ago. It was accepted yesterday by Rome in advance of a damning Commission of Investigation report into his handling of clerical abuse complaints.

It is widely believed that the resignations of Bishops Field, Moriarty and Walsh will now be accepted by the Pope after Easter.

Fifteen months ago, Bishop Magee – who was private secretary to three popes – was found, in a Church report, to have systematically put children at risk by failing to report abuse complaints to gardaí or the HSE.

A statement from the Vatican issued yesterday said the Pope was accepting Bishop Magee’s resignation in accordance with an article of Canon Law stating that a bishop who, because of “his illness or some other grave reason has become unsuited for the fulfilment of his office, is earnestly requested to offer his resignation”.

In a statement, Bishop Magee begged “forgiveness and pardon” from victims he may have failed. “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,” he said.

Archbishop of Armagh and All-Ireland Primate, Seán Brady thanked Bishop Magee for his contribution to the Irish Bishops Conference over the past 20 years.

“I wish to acknowledge the long and varied ministry of Bishop John Magee in the Church. I assure him of my prayers at this time and wish him good health in his retirement. However, foremost in my thoughts in these days are those who have suffered abuse by clergy and those who feel angry and let down by the often inadequate response of leaders in the Church,” he said.

When the Catholic Church’s National Board for Safeguarding Children’s (NBSC) report was published by Bishop Magee in December 2008, the bishop said he had no intention of resigning. However, three months later, he announced he was stepping aside from the day-to-day running of the diocese so he could concentrate on the paperwork required by the Commission after Minister for Children Barry Andrews extended its enquiries to the north and east Cork diocese.

Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, the most Reverend Dermot Clifford has been Apostolic Administrator of the diocese for the past 15 months.

Mr Andrews said he believed Bishop Magee’s resignation was an “inevitable result” of the NBSC findings.

Clerical abuse victims in Cloyne said the bishop should have “resigned a long time ago”.