Eamon Casey to defend allegation

FORMER Bishop of Galway Dr Eamon Casey, who is facing an allegation in Ireland, was not present at the funeral of retired bishop of the diocese James McLoughlin yesterday.

It had been speculated that the 79-year-old might return to his old diocese for the Requiem Mass of Bishop O’Loughlin, who died last Friday.

However, a spokesman for the diocese in the south of England where Dr Casey had been serving for the last six years confirmed that he is planning to return here.

Fr Stuart Geary, of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, said: “Following an historic allegation, Fr Eamon has withdrawn from parish ministry, which is in line with our diocesan guidelines. He expects to return to Ireland to defend the allegation.”

It is unclear how far back the allegation dates or the nature of the claim which has been made against the former bishop.

He has been serving in St Paul’s parish in Haywards Heath, west Sussex since 1998.

Dr Casey left Ireland in disgrace in 1992 after it emerged that he had fathered a son with American divorcee Annie Murphy.

Fr Geary said he could not elaborate on details of the complaint, but that it had come as a surprise to the bishop of the diocese, Dr Kieran Conry when he was told by Dr Casey in recent weeks.

“I am aware he has had difficulties in the past but so far as we were concerned, that was behind him and we were very surprised when this arose.

“He immediately withdrew from his ministry,” Fr Geary said.

However, the Garda press office said it was unaware of any complaint yesterday, although a spokesman said it does not normally discuss individual cases.

Meanwhile, the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto Papal Nuncio to Ireland was joined by representatives of President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and members of the Catholic hierarchy at yesterday’s funeral of Bishop McLoughlin.

The chief celebrant, Bishop of Galway Dr Martin Drennan, told the congregation at the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway, that many people remembered Bishop McLoughlin for his humble service, his prayerful service to the Lord and his kind service to people.