UNITED KINGDOM
Independent Catholic News
Following the unexpected resignation of the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, Bishop Kieran Conry, Archbishop Peter Smith, who leads the Archdiocese of Southwark, and Cardinal Emeritus Cormac Murphy O’Connor, who served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton for 24 years, before he came to Westminster, have sent letters of support to the Diocese which will be read out at all all Masses this weekend. The texts of both letters follows below.
Archbishop Smith writes:
My Dear brothers and sisters,
The announcement last weekend that Bishop Kieran had offered his resignation to the Holy Father came as a great shock and was very distressing. Working with him in the Bishops’ Conference since 2001, and more recently as a Bishop of the Province of Southwark, I am well aware of all his dedicated work in the Diocese and nationally in his work as Chairman of the Department of Evangelisation and Catechesis.
My heart goes out to you at this difficult time, and I just wanted to write and let you know that I have offered Mass for you and all those hurt or distressed by Bishop Kieran’s actions. I will be keeping you and all those involved in my prayers in the coming weeks and months as you continue your preparations to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese next year.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.