Cardinal Sean Brady: I Look Forward to the Day When My Resignation Will Be Accepted

By Denise Calnan
Irish Independent
August 15, 2014

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/cardinal-sean-brady-i-look-forward-to-the-day-when-my-resignation-will-be-accepted-30510947.html

Irish cardinal Sean Brady

Cardinal Sean Brady has declared he is ‘looking forward to the day’ when his resignation as Archbishop of Armagh will be accepted.

SHARE

GO TO

Dr Brady, who faced criticism over his role in the Church’s handling of abuse claims against paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth, has spoken after clerical sexual abuse victims called on Pope Francis to accept his resignation immediately.

In a statement issued today, Dr Brady said he offered his resignation to Pope Francis last month with the ‘anticipation’ of his 75th birthday which he celebrates tomorrow.

“I look forward to the day when my resignation will be accepted and when Archbishop Eamon will take over as Archbishop, a position for which, I believe, he is excellently prepared,” he said.

“Last month I offered my resignation to Pope Francis in accordance with the requirement of Canon Law. I did so in anticipation of my seventy-fifth birthday which I will celebrate tomorrow.”

Dr Brady said that as soon as Pope Francis accepts his resignation Archbishop Eamon will become Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.

“Archbishop Eamon has been warmly welcomed into the diocese. He has worked tirelessly in getting to know its priests, religious and lay faithful, as well as by becoming involved in every aspect of the life of the Church in Armagh and beyond,” the statement read.

Yesterday, abuse survivor Marie Kane, who met Pope Francis last month, said she would be surprised if the Pontiff didn't allow the cardinal to leave his position soon.

"I would hope for a quick response from Pope Francis. I would be so disappointed if it even took months," she said.

"After all that was said in those meetings in Rome with the Pope and the feeling I got from him, I would hope that he would actually carry it out straight away."

Brendan Boland, a victim of Smyth, detailed in his book how the then Father Brady had sworn him to silence following a canonical investigation by the Church.