Cloyne abuse scandal - Bishop must resign or be removed

JOHN MAGEE has been bishop of the Diocese of Cloyne since 1987 and in those 21 years he has seen his, and our, world change utterly.

He was conferred bishop at a time when the position of the Catholic Church in Ireland was all but unassailable and unquestionable. Though less than a lifetime ago, his appointment, after serving two popes in the highest capacities, was made in a different, less questioning and more innocent world.

However, none of these historical circumstances are powerful enough to save him from the conclusions of the report written by Ian Elliott, chief executive officer of the Catholic Church’s National Board for the Safeguarding of Children (NBSC).