Daly shocked by Bishop Hegarty resignation in Derry

Bishop Edward Daly has said he was shocked by the news his successor the Bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty is to step down for health reasons at the age of 71.

“I was aware that he had been in indifferent health for some time,” said the Bishop Emeritus of Derry.

“I am conscious of the huge and demanding burden of responsibility that a bishop has to accept. Bishop Hegarty was prudent and wise to submit his resignation if he did not feel able any longer to continue in his Episcopal responsibility.”

He thanked Bishop Seamus for his ministry in the diocese for the last 17 years.

“On a personal note, I thank him for his unfailing kindness to me and constant care for me during those years,” he added.

Bishop Hegarty said: “Very recently, I received a diagnosis of a condition which is, unfortunately, irreversible and progressive. I am now receiving treatment for this condition."

Bishop Hegarty, who was in charge of the Raphoe Diocese in Donegal from March 1982 before moving to Derry to take up his post in November 1994, is 71.

“I had hoped to continue until the age of 75 as diocesan bishop, but my medical condition is such that I have an obligation to submit my resignation,” he said.

“Due to my condition, I will have to scale back on my duties while the Holy Father considers my letter of resignation.

“It is my hope that my resignation will be accepted. It is my intention to maintain a pastoral ministry, to the extent that I am able, into the future. I ask for prayers at this time.”

Bishop Hegarty began undergoing medical tests earlier this year but has only now confirmed he has been diagnosed.

He said he was following the Code of Canon Law in which a bishop is “earnestly requested to offer his resignation” when, because of illness, he becomes unsuited for the fulfilment of his office.

The Pope will make the final decision on whether Bishop Hegarty should continue to head the diocese.

Bishop Hegarty was born in 1940 and ordained a priest on June 19 1966.

His time in Raphoe has been clouded by the handling of clerical child abuse allegations.

An audit on how church authorities dealt with abuse complaints in the county has been carried out by the Catholic Church’s child protection watchdog, the National Board for Safeguarding Children.

Publication of the report will be determined by the current Bishop of Raphoe Dr Philip Boyce, unless a clear and present danger to children is identified.

Church insiders are expecting it may be released in the coming weeks.

During Bishop Hegarty’s years in Raphoe one of the country’s most notorious paedophile priests, Eugene Greene, served in Donegal and was moved through several parishes.

After almost 25 years abusing, and eight parish moves, Greene was jailed for 12 years in 2000 after pleading guilty to 41 sample charges against 26 victims. He was freed in 2008.

Bishop Hegarty has been challenged over the Church’s handling of Greene, including why he was removed from ministry in 1994 and whether records were kept of complaints.

Bishop Hegarty had also been head of the Diocese of Derry for a year when a civil action was settled with the family of a girl abused by a priest.

They had sued the church after discovering the cleric was continuing to minister years after being assured he would be removed.

More recently a spokesman for Bishop Hegarty offered face-to-face talks with dissident republicans in Derry to prevent further attacks.