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Bishop resigns over abuse report Bishop resigns over abuse report
(20 minutes later)
An Irish bishop has resigned, weeks after he was severely criticised for his handling of child sex abuse allegations.An Irish bishop has resigned, weeks after he was severely criticised for his handling of child sex abuse allegations.
A report on abuse by priests in the Dublin Archdiocese found Donal Murray's handling of one case while an auxiliary bishop in the 1980s was "inexcusable".A report on abuse by priests in the Dublin Archdiocese found Donal Murray's handling of one case while an auxiliary bishop in the 1980s was "inexcusable".
Dr Murray announced he was stepping down as Bishop of Limerick at St John's Cathedral in the city on Thursday. The Vatican said in a statement that the Pope had accepted Dr Murray's resignation as bishop of Limerick.
His resignation follows talks with the Pope in the Vatican last week. Dr Murray held talks about his future with the Pope in the Vatican last week.
The Murphy report into abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese damned the church hierarchy's handling of priests suspected of being child abusers.The Murphy report into abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese damned the church hierarchy's handling of priests suspected of being child abusers.
The report said many bishops were more concerned with preserving the reputation of the church rather than protecting children.The report said many bishops were more concerned with preserving the reputation of the church rather than protecting children.
It said Bishop Murray did not deal properly with the suspicions and concerns that were expressed to him in relation to one priest, Fr Tom Naughton in 1983.It said Bishop Murray did not deal properly with the suspicions and concerns that were expressed to him in relation to one priest, Fr Tom Naughton in 1983.
'Inexcusable''Inexcusable'
A short time later, factual evidence of Naughton's abusing emerged in another parish.A short time later, factual evidence of Naughton's abusing emerged in another parish.
The Murphy report found Bishop Murray's failure to reinvestigate the earlier suspicions was "inexcusable".The Murphy report found Bishop Murray's failure to reinvestigate the earlier suspicions was "inexcusable".
In May 1998, Naughton pleaded guilty to six counts of indecently assaulting three boys in 1985 and 1986. He was jailed for three years, reduced on appeal to two and a half years.In May 1998, Naughton pleaded guilty to six counts of indecently assaulting three boys in 1985 and 1986. He was jailed for three years, reduced on appeal to two and a half years.
On Wednesday Naughton was jailed again - this time for three years for sexually abusing an altar boy between 1982 and 1984.On Wednesday Naughton was jailed again - this time for three years for sexually abusing an altar boy between 1982 and 1984.
Dr Murray did accept in 2002 that he had not dealt well with the situation.Dr Murray did accept in 2002 that he had not dealt well with the situation.
On Sunday, a former doctoral student of Pope Benedict, Father Vincent Twomey, said it was a "scandal" that bishops criticised in the Murphy report had not resigned sooner.On Sunday, a former doctoral student of Pope Benedict, Father Vincent Twomey, said it was a "scandal" that bishops criticised in the Murphy report had not resigned sooner.
The theologian, who is still close to the Pope, said delays in resignations were causing damage to the church.The theologian, who is still close to the Pope, said delays in resignations were causing damage to the church.