Retiring head of Irish Catholic church apologises and asks for forgiveness

Cardinal Sean Brady, the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, has apologised and asked for forgiveness after his retirement was confirmed by the Vatican. The cleric, whose final years were dogged by abuse scandals, handed in his resignation on age grounds last month after turning 75, as required under canon law. Archbishop Eamon Martin will take over as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland - the 116th man to fill the role. In the last few years, Cardinal Brady faced repeated calls from clerical sex abuse survivors to quit over his involvement in the Brendan Smyth case.

At the same time, Pope Francis’ motto inspires me to trust in the mercy of God and to pray for the strength to do always as Jesus would have me do

Cardinal Sean Brady, outgoing leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland

The teacher and canon lawyer swore two victims of the notorious paedophile priest to secrecy during an internal church inquiry in 1975 into the abuse of two children. Their evidence was never handed over to police, allowing Smyth to continue abusing other youngsters countless times before he was finally jailed in 1994. The Cardinal insisted his role in the canonical inquiry was as a notetaker. Last month Pope Francis promised to hold bishops to account for the protection of children and begged forgiveness from victims after he celebrated a Mass with six survivors at the Vatican. The rapid acceptance of a bishop’s resignation within one month is unusual for the Catholic Church but the former primate’s departure has been flagged for some considerable time. Cardinal Brady led the church in Ireland for more than 17 years.

I need to say sorry and to ask forgiveness. And I do so again now.

Cardinal Brady’s farewell message

sean brady Europe