Moriarty resignation 'accepted by Pope'

Two church officials in Dublin have said that the Pope has accepted the resignation of Bishop James Moriarty.

The Vatican is expected to officially confirm the resignation later today.

Jim Moriarty, from the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin announced his decision to step down last December, amid public anger after the publication of the Murphy report.

Although he was not directly criticised in the report which examined the handling of allegations of abuse in the Dublin archdiocese, Bishop Moriarty acknowledged he should have challenged what he called the "prevailing culture" during his time as an auxiliary bishop there.

He admitted in December that he had not challenged the Dublin archdioceses' past practice of concealing child abuse complaints from authorities.