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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Archbishop steps down over health | Archbishop steps down over health |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Archbishop of Southwark has resigned from his post with "great sadness" because of ill health. | The Archbishop of Southwark has resigned from his post with "great sadness" because of ill health. |
| Archbishop Kevin McDonald has had a triple heart bypass and also suffers from severe osteoarthritis. He is to undergo further surgery in 2010. | Archbishop Kevin McDonald has had a triple heart bypass and also suffers from severe osteoarthritis. He is to undergo further surgery in 2010. |
| He took up the post at the Roman Catholic archdiocese, which covers south London and parts of Kent, in December 2003. | He took up the post at the Roman Catholic archdiocese, which covers south London and parts of Kent, in December 2003. |
| Bishop John Hine will take charge until a new archbishop is appointed. | Bishop John Hine will take charge until a new archbishop is appointed. |
| Over the past two years, ill health had prevented Archbishop McDonald from visiting parishes in his dioceses and admitted his resignation was a "very difficult decision." | |
| He said: "I feel great sadness at having to relinquish my post as Archbishop of Southwark. | He said: "I feel great sadness at having to relinquish my post as Archbishop of Southwark. |
| "Although I have had to contend with illness over the last three years, this appointment has been a great grace." | "Although I have had to contend with illness over the last three years, this appointment has been a great grace." |
| Archbishop McDonald, who became a priest in 1974, was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. | |
| A spokesman for the Catholic Church in England and Wales said Pope Benedict XVI had accepted his resignation on Friday. |