Pope Accepts Resignation of Irish Bishop Accused of Mishandling Abuse Allegations Dr Donal Murray Bishop of Limerick Steps down over Criticism That He Failed to Report Claims of Abuse, by Henry McDonald, Guardian, December 17, 2009

Pope Accepts Resignation of Irish Bishop Accused of Mishandling Abuse Allegations
Dr Donal Murray, Bishop of Limerick, Steps down over Criticism That He Failed to Report Claims of Abuse

By Henry McDonald
Guardian
December 17, 2009

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/17/bishop-limerick-donal-murray-resigns

Ireland -- The Vatican today confirmed that the Pope had accepted the resignation of an Irish bishop who was criticised for failing to report allegations of clerical child sex abuse.

In an official statement from the Holy See, Pope Benedict XVI agreed that the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, should step down from his post.

Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Dr Donal Murray, the Bishop of Limerick.

Murray, a former auxiliary bishop in Dublin, had been under pressure to quit since the publication of the Murphy report into clerical child abuse in the Dublin archdiocese.

The document criticised him for a failure to deal with allegations about Father Thomas Naughton, saying it was inexcusable.

In a statement today, Murray said he had taken time to study the Murphy report before coming to his decision.

The bishop spent the last 10 days in Rome, discussing his future with Vatican officials.

"I know full well that my resignation cannot undo the pain that survivors of abuse have suffered in the past and continue to suffer each day," he said.

"I humbly apologise once again to all who were abused as little children. To all survivors of abuse, I repeat that my primary concern is to assist in every way that I can on their journey towards finding closure and serenity.

"I asked the Holy Father to allow me to resign and to appoint a new bishop to the diocese because I believe that my presence will create difficulties for some of the survivors, who must have first place in our thoughts and prayers."

The statement confirmed that Murray had met the Congregation of Bishops in Rome on 7 December, and it was decided there that his letter of resignation should be presented to the Pope.

The pontiff accepted the resignation on Monday, but it was agreed that Murray should return to Limerick to allow him be in his diocese when the announcement was made.

Murray apologised in person at a mass in St John's Cathedral, Limerick.