Walsh won't 'stand in judgement' on under-fire Murray

The Bishop of Killaloe Willie Walsh has said he is "not going to stand in judgement" on the Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray.

Bishop Murray has said he will be guided by the priests and people of his diocese after being criticised in the Murphy report into clerical child abuse in Dublin.

The report found the bishop, who was based in Dublin from 1982 to 1996, handled a number of complaints badly and described his failure to investigate one allegation as inexcusable.

It has led to calls for him to step down from his position.

He told churchgoers in Limerick yesterday that the question of whether he should resign was a question of whether his presence is a help or a hindrance to the diocese.

“In that matter I will be guided by the priests and people of the diocese,” said Bishop Murray in his homily at St Joseph’s Church in the city to mark the first Sunday of Advent.

Bishop Walsh said it is not for him to judge his colleague.

"I am not going to stand in judgement on Bishop Murray or any other person," Bishop Walsh said.

"I am too well aware of my own frailty in this area. I can't put my hand on my heart and say I never made a mistake in this area over the past 15 years - it has been a most difficult area, a nightmare area really."

Limerick TD and Defence Minister Willie O'Dea has said meanwhile that he is sure Bishop Murray will make the appropriate decison.