Cardinal Brady resigns

Ulster Herald
September 8, 2014

http://ulsterherald.com/2014/09/08/cardinal-brady-resigns/

The Vatican have confirmed that Pope Francis has today (Monday) accepted the resignation of Cardinal Seán Brady as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.

As of 11am, the Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, Archbishop Eamon Martin (52), has become the 116th Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.

In line with the rules of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Brady offered his resignation to the Pope on the occasion of his 75th birthday last month.

It came two years after he refused to step down amid revelations contained in a BBC documentary.

The ‘This World’ investigation found Cardinal Brady had names and addresses of children being abused by paedophile priest Brendan Smyth, but did not pass on those details to police or parents.

In his final statement as the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, the outgoing Primate offered a non-specific apology after Mass in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh today.

“Pope Francis’ motto: ‘Miserando atque eligendo’, challenges and inspires me with its message of God having mercy and at the same time choosing us, despite our sinfulness,” he said.

“It reminds me that I too need to say sorry and to ask forgiveness. And I do so again, now. At the same time, Pope Francis’ motto inspires me to trust in the mercy of God and to pray for the strength to do always as Jesus would have me do.”

Cardinal Brady described his involvement in the Conclave that elected Pope Francis as the highlight of his life.

He also offered his congratulations to his successor.

“I pray that God may give to Archbishop Eamon in abundance all the graces he needs and I assure him of my help and total support at all times. Indeed I am quite confident that the people of the Archdiocese – priests, religious and lay faithful – will give to their new Archbishop the same whole-hearted support and faith-filled loyalty which they have always given to me and for which I will be eternally grateful.”

‘HONOURED’

Eamon Martin was ordained as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh on April 21 2013.

Speaking today, Archbishop Martin said, “I genuinely feel honoured to assume the role of ‘Shepherd’ in the Archdiocese of Armagh. I look forward to serving the people of sixty-one parishes in the counties of Armagh, Derry, Louth and Tyrone.

“I feel humbled to be following in the footsteps of St Patrick, and like him, I pray for ‘God’s strength to pilot me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s shield to protect me’.

“Over the past sixteen months I have been encouraged and inspired by the enthusiasm of our young people and the dedication of our teachers, the commitment and pastoral care given by our priests and religious, and the willingness of so many people to become actively involved in the life of their parishes and diocese.”