Bishop Murray’s resignation statement

“I MET the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops on Monday 7th December. I asked him to bring my resignation as Bishop of Limerick to Pope Benedict.

The Holy Father has accepted my resignation which takes effect from this morning at 11am Irish time.

“I have heard the views of many survivors, 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 my primary concern is to assist in every way that I can, on their journey towards finding closure and serenity.