Ex-Bishop Casey withdraws from UK ministry
Wednesday, 30 November 2005 20:06
The former Bishop of Galway, Dr Eamon Casey, has withdrawn from active ministry in West Sussex in England.
The Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, Dr Kieran Conry said Dr Casey ceased working in the parish of Hayward's Heath after an allegation appeared to have been made in Ireland against him.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Bishop Conry said he was told about the apparent allegation by a child protection officer in England who had been given information from Ireland.
He said no formal contact about the claim had been received either from police in England or from the gardaí.
Bishop Conry said that in such circumstances it was policy for a cleric to withdraw from active ministry.
He added that he had spoken to Dr Casey who said he had no formal plans to return to Ireland.
No comment from bishops
A spokesman for the Catholic bishops' conference has said that it has no comment to make on the reports. The spokesman said it was a matter for Fr Casey's diocese.
A spokesperson for the diocese of Galway said it had received no allegation against Fr Casey.
- Morning Ireland: Mark Brennock, The Irish Times Political Correspondent, has the details of Fr Eamon Casey's withdrawal from work as a priest in England because of an allegation made against him
- Morning Ireland: Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, explains what is known about the allegation and what impact Fr Casey's withdrawal will have on the parish
- Six One News: Brian O'Connell, London Editor, reveals that the former Bishop of Galway, Dr Eamon Casey, has withdrawn himself from his UK ministry
