Pope Accepts Newry Cleric's Resignation

Pope Benedict XVI (pictured) has accepted the resignation of Bishop of Cloyne John Magee.

The Vatican made the announcement yesterday morning, stating in its regular bulletin: "The Pope has accepted the resignation of the Bishop of Cloyne (Ireland), in compliance with the Code of Canonical Right."

Bishop Magee stood aside last March over his mishandling of abuse allegations in his diocese.

The cleric, originally from Newry, Co Down, had come under mounting pressure and criticism after the Church watchdog found he took minimal action on accusations against two of his priests and branded the Bishops child protection "inadequate" and "dangerous".

In a statement issued from the Cloyne diocesan centre, Dr Magee (73) welcomed the acceptance of his resignation.

He extended his "sincere apologies" to any person who was abused by "any priest" during his time as bishop.

Speaking in response to the Pope's acceptance, the former Bishop said: "I want to offer once again my sincere apologies to any person who has been abused by any priest of the Diocese of Cloyne during my time as bishop or at any time.

"To those whom I have failed in any way, or through any omission of mine have made suffer, I beg forgiveness and pardon. As I said on Christmas Eve 2008 after the publication report of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, I take full responsibility for the criticism of our management of issues contained in that report."

Dr Magee added: "I welcome the fact that my offer of resignation has been accepted, and I thank the priests, religious and faithful of the Diocese for their support during my time as Bishop of Cloyne, and assure them of a place in my prayers always."

The former Bishop had apologised when the watchdog's report was first published before Christmas 2008 but he refused to resign at the time.

Although Pope Benedict did not specify why he was accepting the bishop's resignation, it is understood that the findings of the Independent Board for the Protection of Children in the Catholic Church precipitated the decision.

(DW/BMcC)