Connell dismisses resignation reports
Archbishop of Dublin Desmond Connell today dismissed reports he was to step down.
It was claimed in a newspaper article that Cardinal Desmond Connell’s resignation was “imminent“.
In a statement the archbishop of the country’s largest diocese said: “I have absolutely no reason to believe that that report is true.”
The report in today’s Sunday Business Post said sources in Rome and the Archbishop’s palace expected an announcement before Connell’s 77th birthday on March 26.
It comes just a week after Cardinal Connell issued an apology to a 28-year-old man who had been abused by a Dublin diocese priest nearly 18 years ago.
On Tuesday, the High Court awarded Mervyn Rundle the biggest single settlement yet reached over a case of sex abuse by a Roman Catholic priest.
In a statement issued as part of the agreed settlement to Mr Rundle, Dr Connell said he profoundly regretted the injury caused by Father Naughton and personally apologised to Mr Rundle and his family.
He noted that before the abuse occurred, concerns had emerged about the conduct of Father Naughton, which, had they been “more successfully pursued,” could have resulted in the priest being withdrawn from parochial duties.
The Cardinal said he hoped the Church would learn from the Rundle case.
Cardinal Connell’s handling of the case, together with his treatment of other cases, has prompted calls for him to step down from his position as archbishop.
It was claimed in today’s newspaper report that the strain of the past year has taken its toll on him.
Connell, a former professor of metaphysics in UCD, was appointed Archbishop of Dublin in January 1988. Twelve years later, he was named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
He offered the Pope his resignation on reaching his 75th birthday, as is required of all bishops, but was asked by the Pope to stay on.
