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O'Dea: "I didn't say the Bishop should resign"
LEADING Limerick politicians believe the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, should be allowed time to consider his position and consult with priests in the diocese on whether he should resign, following the publication of the Murphy report.
Speaking on RTE's The Week in Politics last night, Minister Willie O'Dea said be believes Dr Murray, whom he knows personally, will make the "appropriate decision."
However, when asked on national radio this morning whether he believed the Bishop should go, Minister O'Dea replied: "Not really."
Minister O'Dea said he has not read the report in full, and does not believe the matter of removing bishops should be decided by the Taoiseach.
He said he has "always thought him a very decent, honorable person", adding "every man must consider the situation for himself."
The bishop is coming under increased pressure to resign, following comments made by Fr Brian D'Arcy and Dromore Bishop John McAreavey, among others.
Bishop McAreavey said that any bishop … around whom there are serious questions in relation to the care and protection of children has serious
questions to answer. "I'm sure Bishop Murray is reflecting on that - I know that he has taken the view that he should remain but I think he
will be thinking very seriously about that."
The family of a man who alleged abuse and who died tragically in 2006, following a meeting with representatives of Limerick's Catholic diocese, have called for Bishop Murray's resignation.
Peter McCloskey, 37, was found dead on April 1, 2006, two days after mediation talks with diocesan representatives.
The late Mr McCloskey alleged he had been abused in 1980/81 by Fr Denis Daly, a priest ordained for Sydney who served in Limerick from 1978
until his death aged 61 in 1987.
His father Aidan said of his deceased son's experience that "a criminal would have been treated better by the bishop".
Fine Gael deputy Michael Noonan said he feels it would be "only fair to give him the time he requested to consult with people and priests of the diocese".
Deputy Noonan described the contents of the Murphy report as "absolutely appalling", but again did not feel it would appropriate
to give his own view on whether the bishop should resign.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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