Pope accepts local bishop's resignation

The Pope has accepted the resignation of Jim Moriarty as Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. The diocese includes much of North Offaly including Edenderry, Rhode, Daingean, Killeigh and Clonbullogue. The bishop offered his resignation on December 23rd in the wake of the Murphy Report - and it has now been formally accepted by Pope Benedict XVI. In a statement issued yesterday (Thursday), the former bishop said: "The decision to offer my resignation was the most difficult decision of my ministry." He admitted he did not anticipate resigning when he first read the Murphy Report, as he was not directly criticised. "However, the Murphy Report covers far more than what individual Bishops did or did not do. Renewal must begin with accepting responsibility for the past. He said he had served as an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Dublin from 1991 until 2002 and, as such, should have challenged the prevailing culture. "I was part of the governance of the Archdiocese prior to when correct child protection policies and procedures were implemented. Again I accept that from the time I became an Auxiliary Bishop, I should have challenged the prevailing culture. Once more I apologise to all survivors and their families."