Sex abuse survivor’s ‘hope for new start’

The Irish representative on the Vatican’s new child protection council said "it would have been better" for the survivors of abuse by Brendan Smyth if Cardinal Sean Brady had resigned two years ago.

The Catholic Primate confirmed yesterday that Cardinal Brady offered his resignation to Pope Francis this week in advance of his 75th birthday, which falls today.

Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin will take over Cardinal Brady’s role as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland when his resignation is accepted by the Pope.