Bishop Brendan Comiskey resigns

The Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey, has announced his decision to resign in the wake of the controversy surrounding his handling of complaints of sexual abuse by the late Father Sean Fortune.

Dr Comiskey has been under pressure to answer allegations that he was made aware that Fr Fortune had sexually abused young boys in his parish.

Fr Fortune was moved from the parish he was a part of to a different area when the complaints came before Bishop Comiskey but the revelations were never made public.

In a prepared statement to the media he told journalists that he was sorry for any pain or hurt he had caused to those who were abused and their families and that he had tried to deal with Fr Fortune as best he could.

Dr Comiskey will travel to the Vatican on Friday to confirm his resignation with Pope John Paul II but he said he hopes to continue his life as a priest.