Carlow, Ireland, Feb 22, 2010 / 18:04 pm
Following the recent meetings between Pope Benedict VXI and Irish bishops on the sex abuse scandal plaguing the Church in Ireland, Bishop Jim Moriarty said that it is “not a question of if but when” his resignation will be approved by the Holy Father.
“In regard to my offer of resignation, separate from the general meeting, I had a private meeting with Cardinal Re, the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, who is dealing with it,” explained the bishop in a statement on the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin website this past Saturday. “The acceptance of my offer of resignation is proceeding. My understanding is that it is not a question of if but when. It will not happen immediately but should not go too far beyond Easter.”
Bishop Moriarty had tendered his resignation to the Holy Father on December 23.
Twenty four Irish bishops recently attended meetings with Pope Benedict in Rome on sex abuse cases involving minors within the Church in Ireland and the failure of the bishops to properly address the situation. Participants in the discussions unanimously agreed that “this grave crisis has led to a breakdown in trust in the Church’s leadership and has damaged her witness to the Gospel and its moral teaching,” said a Vatican statement on Feb. 16.