UNITED KINGDOM
Yahoo! News
By Mark Piggott | IB Times
The Catholic Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, Rt Rev Kieran Conry, has resigned after bringing “shame” on his diocese and being “unfaithful” to his vows.
The Mail on Sunday alleges he has had affairs with two women, one of them a married woman who spent several nights at his cottage in Sussex.
In a statement to be read out in church today Bishop Conry said: “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 to consider my future.”
Catholic priests are forbidden from having any form of sexual relationship. Although it is unclear if either of the two alleged relationships were sexual, the Bishop clearly felt he had no alternative other than to resign.
“I want to apologise to the individuals hurt by my actions and then to all of those inside and outside the diocese,” continued the statement. “I am sorry for the shame that I have brought on the diocese and the Church and I ask for your prayers and forgiveness.”
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