Bishop Murray did the right thing, says Archbishop Martin

The Archbishop of Dublin said today that he believes Bishop Donal Murray did the right thing by resigning.

Diarmuid Martin issued a statement following the first meeting of the council of priests of the Dublin Archdiocese since the Murphy report.

Archbishop Martin says that this is a period of deep crisis in the Archdiocese and that there can be no healing without radical change.

Commenting on the resignation of Bishop Donal Murray as Bishop of Limerick, Cardinal Seán Brady said: "I acknowledge and respect the decision of Bishop Murray to resign as Bishop of Limerick, as was announced earlier today.

"As Bishop Murray said in his statement this morning, the survivors of abuse must have first place in our thoughts and prayers.

"I apologise again to all who were abused as children by priests, who were betrayed and who feel outraged by the failure of church leadership in responding to their abuse. Their suffering must always be the primary consideration in any assessment of past failings, as a church and as individuals.

"I wish to acknowledge and thank Bishop Murray for his contribution to the work of the Irish Bishops' Conference. He is in my prayers at this time."