BBC News
May 6, 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8664814.stm
Pope Benedict has accepted the resignations of the Bishop of Clogher, Joseph Duffy, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Derry, Francis Lagan.
Both men offered their resignations as required by the Vatican on turning 75 years of age.
The Right Reverend Liam Sean MacDaid is to be the new Bishop of Clogher.
In March, Bishop Joseph Duffy admitted he knew of abuse allegations against a priest in his diocese in 1989, six years before the cleric was in court.
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| Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignations of the bishops |
Bishop Joseph Duffy was told Enniskillen priest Fr John McCabe had abused a young boy in his car.
A diocesean spokesman said in March that Bishop Duffy was "bound to secrecy by the victim's parents".
In 1995, McCabe, who had then left the priesthood, was jailed for 20 months for abusing the boy between 1979 and 1985.
The spokesman said that because of the protocols in place such a situation would "not happen now" and the bishop has said he regrets the matter was not dealt with "in a speedier manner".
On Thursday, the Irish Catholic primate, Cardinal Sean Brady, paid tribute to the bishops for "their work in preaching about and striving for peace and harmony in Northern Ireland".
"I offer them my prayers and blessings and I wish them both many years of good health and happiness in their retirement," he said.
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