Hi °C | Lo °C ONE of the country's most senior clerics is retiring on the grounds of ill-health.
Auxiliary bishop of Armagh, Gerard Clifford, is leaving his post on medical grounds. His resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict in recent days.
Dr Clifford, who is from Co Louth, was president of crisis pregnancy agency CURA since 2010 and he said he would take on a "different role" in his retirement.
"The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has granted my request for retirement as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh on the grounds of my ill-health," he said in a statement. "My decision to retire is based on medical advice which I have been receiving since last August. It is with great sadness that I come to the decision."
Dr Clifford (72) was ordained in June 1967 and became a bishop in April 1991. He served as executive secretary of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference from 1984 to 1991, and was a member of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference Council for Ecumenism and Dialogue.
He also worked with the late Church of Ireland Canon William Arlow, following the 1979 visit of John Paul II to Ireland, where he urged churches to work more closely together.
Cardinal Sean Brady said he "understood and supported" Dr Clifford's decision to retire, and he was pleased "for his own sake and for his health".
Compassion
"However, I genuinely regret the retirement of Bishop Clifford and his loyal, faithful and outstanding support at all times since my own appointment to the Archdiocese of Armagh in 1995. At a personal level I greatly appreciate his warmth, wisdom and compassion and I look forward to our continued friendship over the years ahead," he said.
Dr Clifford said his work had been both "challenging and complex", but was a "deeply rewarding vocation".
"I have received great warmth and affection throughout my ministry from the people of the diocese. I thank them for their support in my 21 years as auxiliary bishop.
"As I take on a different role I will continue, God willing, to promote and foster the Gospel message in its fullness. I ask that you remember me in your prayers today and in the future."
The Catholic Communications Office said larger dioceses including Armagh, Dublin and Down and Connor generally had at least one auxiliary, or assistant, bishop. Last January, Pope Benedict appointed Monsignor Eamon Martin as coadjutor archbishop – or archbishop with the right of succession – in Armagh, meaning he will take over from Cardinal Sean Brady when he retires.
Msgr Martin has yet to undergo his ordination as a bishop, but is expected to be assigned to Armagh shortly.
A spokeswoman also said there were no bishops in place in two dioceses, Kildare and Leighlin and Derry, after senior churchmen resigned their posts in 2009 and last year.
A spokeswoman also said that Bishop William Murphy in Kerry and Bishop and Christy Jones in Elphin had tendered their resignations last year when they turned 75, as required under canon law, but they had not been accepted.
"The only person who can accept a resignation is the Pope," a spokeswoman said.
She added that Bishop Colm O'Reilly in Ardagh and Clonmacnoise had his resignation accepted.
Irish Independent
