Irish priest quits over child sex abuse

Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray apologised on Thursday to victims of sex abuse by Irish Catholic priests, but said even his resignation “cannot undo the pain” of those who suffered.

Speaking shortly after the Vatican confirmed his resignation, he said he had asked to quit because he believed his “presence will create difficulties for some of the survivors.”

“I have heard the views of many survivors ... some expressed the wish that I should resign; others asked me not to do so,” he told his congregation in Limerick, southwest Ireland, according to a statement released by his office.

“I know full well that my resignation cannot undo the pain that survivors of abuse have suffered in the past and continue to suffer each day.

I humbly apologise once again to all who were abused as little children,” he added.

“To all survivors of abuse, I repeat that my primary concern is to assist in every way that I can on their journey towards finding closure and serenity.

“A bishop is meant to be a person who seeks to lead and inspire all the people of the diocese in living as a community united in the truth and love of Christ.

“I asked the Holy Father [Pope Benedict XVI] to allow me to resign and to appoint a new bishop because I believe that my presence will create difficulties for some of the survivors who must have first place in our thoughts and prayers.”

Murray was among top Irish clergy accused in a report last month which concluded that Irish archbishops concealed clerical abuse and failed to inform police of the crimes over a period of more than three decades.—AFP