Bishops Walsh and Field resign after Murphy report
Two more Bishops have resigned in the wake of the damning Murphy report.
Dr Éamonn Walsh and Dr Raymond Field are stepping down over criticisms of the handling of clerical child sexual abuse allegations in the Dublin Archdiocese.
Their decision was announced in a joint statement last night in which they say they hope their action may help to bring peace to the survivors of child sexual abuse and again apologise to them.
The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Dr James Moriarty and the Bishop of Limerick Dr Donal Murray have already tendered their resignations.
In his Christmas homily at Midnight Mass in Dublin's Pro-Cathedral, the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said it had been a "painful" year for the diocese.
He said there could be no glossing over the past, that criminal behaviour must be investigated and renewal in the Church must begin with accepting responsibility for the past.
At Mass in Armagh last night, Cardinal Seán Brady said the country and the Church was reeling from the Murphy report and again apologised for the breach of trust and crimes committed.
Abuse survivor Andrew Madden has welcomed the resignations of Bishops Walsh and Field and has renewed his call for the resignation of the Bishop of Galway Dr Martin Drennan.
