Second Bishop Quits in Abuse Probe, Belfast Telegraph, December 23, 2009

Second Bishop Quits in Abuse Probe

Belfast Telegraph
December 23, 2009

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/uk-ireland/second-bishop-quits-in-abuse-probe-14609517.html

Ireland -- A second Irish bishop has dramatically resigned over the damning findings of a state clerical child abuse inquiry.

Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin James Moriarty faced mounting pressure to quit after Limerick Bishop Donal Murray stepped aside six days ago over his "inexcusable" mishandling of an abuse case.

A second Irish bishop has resigned over the damning findings of a state clerical child abuse inquiry

Despite previously insisting he should not resign, Bishop Moriarty said he accepted the inquiry's findings and that he should have challenged Church handling of paedophilia.

"I know that any action now on my part does not take away the suffering that people have endured," he said.

"I again apologise to all the survivors and their families.

"I have today offered my resignation as Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin to the Holy Father. I hope it honours the truth that the survivors have so bravely uncovered and opens the way to a better future for all concerned."

Bishop Moriarty served as an auxiliary bishop in the Dublin Archdiocese between 1991 and 2002.

The inquiry, based on a sample 46 priests, revealed a catalogue of paedophilia and subsequent cover-ups over three decades because the Catholic hierarchy, obsessed with secrecy, was granted police immunity.