The former Bishop of Galway, Dr Eamon Casey, has withdrawn from active ministry in West Sussex in England.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.
