A senior Catholic Bishop has asked his congregation to pray for victims of clerical sex abuse as he stepped down to help a state inquiry probing allegations against some of his priests.

Catholic Primate Cardinal Sean Brady tonight said under-fire Bishop of Cloyne John Magee should not resign.

VICTIMS’ groups have expressed shock at how an audit of child protection measures was considered acceptable despite religious dioceses skipping the only section which questioned bishops’ handling of actual abuse cases.

Bishop of Cloyne John Magee tonight pledged to cooperate fully with the Commission of Investigation and again apologised to all victims of clerical sexual abuse.

THE Primate of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop of Armagh Seán Brady, has described Pope Benedict XVI as a man of great ability coupled with an uncluttered vision.

POPE John Paul II was nearing death last night as his health suddenly worsened, drawing anguished prayers from Catholics around the world reluctant to accept his historic pontificate was at an end.