NEW YORK
The Journal News
By RICHARD LIEBSON
rliebson@thejournalnews.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: August 12, 2005)
NEW YORK — Monsignor Eugene Clark resigned as rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday amid claims by an Eastchester man that the 79-year-old Roman Catholic cleric had an affair with his wife.
"It appears to me that events and circumstances have been portrayed in such a false and sensational manner that I will no longer be able to effectively serve the Archdiocese," Clark said in a statement released yesterday afternoon by his lawyer, Laura Brevetti. "Consequently, I have submitted my resignation. I thank all the many people who continue to offer me their prayers and consoling messages."
Earlier in the day, the Archdiocese of New York confirmed that Cardinal Edward Egan had accepted Clark's resignation.
"Although Monsignor Clark continues to deny the allegations against him, he offered his resignation for the good of St. Patrick's and the Archdiocese. He will not be celebrating Mass or the sacraments publicly until this matter has been resolved," spokesman Joseph Zwilling said in a statement.