Donal Murray, who was criticised in the Murphy report for his handling of reports of the sexual abuse of children by priests in the Dublin diocese, has resigned from his post as Bishop of Limerick.
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI had accepted the resignation of Dr. Murray, who had been contemplating his decision in Rome for nearly two weeks. “The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Limerick, Ireland, presented by Bishop Donal Brendan Murray, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law”, the statement from the Vatican read.
He becomes the first bishop to resign since the publication of the Murphy Report which slammed Church leaders saying they had covered up numerous and widespread instances of the abuse of children by priests over three decades.
“I humbly apologise to all those abused as little children”, Dr. Murray said in a brief statement to the congregation at St John’s Cathedral Thursday morning.
The report concluded the actions of Donal Murray were “inexcusable” when he did not properly investigate concerns and complaints made to him about a priest in 1983 while he was an auxiliary bishop in the Dublin diocese.
Dr. Murray said that he would be making no further statements to the media Thursday following his resignation which comes into effect immediately. He has been bishop of Limerick for 13 years. Pressure is now mounting on other church leaders who were named in the report to follow Murrays lead and step down.
Following the news Limerick City Mayor Kevin Kiely said he was “saddened by the circumstances which have led to Dr Murray’s resignation” adding he “wished him well” for the future.
“Since he became Bishop of Limerick in 1996, Dr Murray has served the people of Limerick to the best of his ability and I would like to pay tribute to him for his hard work and dedication on behalf of the Diocese,” the Mayor said.
Here’s hoping he has a miserable few years left to contemplate his cover up of the heinous crimes against innocents. A pox on him and his cohorts.