A ROMAN CATHOLIC bishop has resigned after admitting that he has
broken his vow of celibacy.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Bishop of Arundel &
Brighton, the Rt Revd Kieran Conry, said that he had been
"unfaithful to my promises as a Catholic priest" over a period of
"some years".
He told churchgoers that his actions were "not illegal and did
not involve minors".
He went on: "I want to apologise first of all to the individuals
hurt by my actions, and then to all of those inside and outside the
diocese who will be shocked, hurt, and saddened to hear this.
"I am sorry for the shame that I have brought on the diocese and
the Church, and I ask for your prayers and forgiveness."
The President of the Roman Catholic Bishops' Conference of
England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, described it as "a sad
and painful moment".
Bishop Conry told the Mail on Sunday that he had had a
relationship six years ago.
"It has been difficult keeping the secret," he told the
newspaper. "In some respects I feel very calm. It is liberating. It
is a relief. I have been very careful not to make sexual morality a
priority [in his sermons]. I don't think it got in the way of my
job; I don't think people would say I have been a bad bishop. But I
can't defend myself. I did wrong. Full stop."
'Sex scandals: a basic primer'
- Press column