Leading Bishop Resigns from the Catholic Church Following "Affair" Scandal

By John Reynolds
Express
September 28, 2014

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/516437/Catholic-priest-resigns-following-affair

A LEADING Catholic bishop apologised to churchgoers up-and-down the country this weekend, saying he had bought "shame" on the church.

Conry out shopping with the woman who reportedly stayed at his home [SPLASH]

The Rt Reverend Kieran Conry, the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, resigned from his post after he admitted to breaking his clerical vows, leading to speculation he had an affair.

Conry's apology was read out in all churches of the Diocese on Saturday evening and Sunday.

The apology read: "I am sorry to confess that, going back some years, I have been unfaithful to my promises as a Catholic priest. I would like to reassure you that my actions were not illegal and did not involve minors.

"As a result, however, I have decided to offer my resignation as bishop with immediate effect and will now take some time my future. I want to apologise first of all to the individuals hurt by my actions and then to all of those inside out outside the diocese who will be shocked, hurt and saddened to hear this. I am sorry for the shame that I have brought on the diocese and the Church and I ask for you prayers and forgiveness."

Conry is sworn to celibacy and his resignation will heap huge embarrassment on the Catholic Church. His resignation is understood to relate to an affair the 63-year-old priest bishop had with a married woman, according to one report.

I am sorry to confess that, going back some years, I have been unfaithful to my promises as a Catholic priest. I would like to reassure you that my actions were not illegal and did not involve minors

Rt Reverend Kieran Conry

The report claims the woman spent a number of nights at the bishop's detached property in Pease Pottage, West Sussex.

Love letters between the bishop and woman have been uncovered. One of the lover letters sent from the bishop claims that the woman's husband didn't love her.

The letter reads: "It's all right to say that [your husband] did bad things, but you knew that he didn't love you. You know (I hope) that I did. And I did, and do."

There is also a suggestion that the bishop had an affair with a second woman, who has two children- though his resignation does not relate to the second affair.

Originally from Coventry, Corny studied for priesthood at the Venerable English College in Rome, according to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton website.

He was consecrated as forth bishop of Arundel and Brighton at Arundel Cathedral in 2001.

Following Conry's resignation cardinal Vincent Nichols, presidents of the Bishops' Conference, said: "This is a sad and painful moment. It makes clear that we are always a Church of sinners called to repentance and conversion and in need of God's mercy. All involved in this situation are much in my prayers today."

Reaction to Conry's decision to stand down has been largely sympathetic. Friar Neil Peoples, priest in the diocese of Nottingham tweeted: "Please pray for bishop Conry and the people of the diocese of Arundel and Brighton at this time."