Vatican expected to accept Bishop Moriarty's resignation tomorrow

The Vatican is expected to announce the Pope's acceptance of the resignation of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin tomorrow.

Jim Moriarty confirmed his decision to go last December, amid public anger over the Murphy report on the handling of abuse allegations in the Dublin archdiocese.

Bishop Moriarty was not directly criticised in the report, but he said in December that he "should have challenged the prevailing culture" while serving as an auxiliary bishop in the area.

The Irish Catholic newspaper says a number of other clerical resignations are expected in the coming weeks.