Another Irish bishop resigns
John Magee that Pope Benedict has formally accepted his. Bishop Magee's statement notes that he tendered his resignation on 9 March, a year after he "stepped aside" from his episcopal role after being severely criticized by the Catholic Church in Ireland's child protection watchdog. A report by the found that his diocese was failing to protect children, even after the adoption of new child protection guidelines. A year ago, the bishop's decision to "step aside" from his diocesan responsibilities was seen by many as a non-resignation resignation. The findings of the National Board's report have now caught up with Bishop Magee. He becomes the fifth Irish Catholic bishop to resign over child protection failings in as many months.
What now will happen to Bishop Magee's diocese? For the past year, Cloyne has been administered by Dr Dermot Clifford, the Archbishop of Cashel. Will a new bishop be appointed to Cloyne, or will the Pope decide that Bishop Magee's former diocese could now become an administered adjunct to a neighbouring diocese (just as the Bishop of is the permanent Apostolic Administrators of Kilfenora)? There have been recent calls for a re-organisation of Ireland's dioceses, and for a reduction in the number of bishops. With the resignations of the bishops of , and now Cloyne, the Vatican is presented with a strategic opportunity to rationalise resources and re-organise dioceses. Add to those now or soon-to-be vacant dioceses the impending vacancies in and , when Bishop Joseph Duffy and Bishop Willie Walsh, respectively, reach retirement age, and you have the basis for a significant re-organisation.
Comment number 1.
At 24th Mar 2010, Celtophile Mancunian wrote:Here's indeed hoping that the "strategic opportunity" for structural reform of the Catholic Church will be realised. The farces of the past few months do nothing for my own confidence, looking on as an outsider.
I find it amazing that it would take 12 months from Bishop Magee's "stepping aside" to his resignation being accepted by the Pope. It adds to the stress caused to victims of child abuse as well as their families, friends and supporters.
We'll wait and see whether the Pope will accept the resignations of the three other bishops who have offered to stand down. Hopefully this post will be history in a lot less than 12 months' time.
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Comment number 2.
At 25th Mar 2010, LCS wrote:It is remarkable to consider that we are witnessing the second reformation of the Roman Catholic Church (perhaps there are more, but I am thinking of the reformation begun by Martin Luther). Since there are so many faithful Roman Catholics in the world, whose faith is strong and loving, it would seem that the church will emerge as a renewed organization - no matter how difficult the process.
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