Ireland: resignation statement by Bishop Comiskey

The Irish Irish Bishops Catholic Communications Office issued the following statement today on behalf of Dr Brendan Comiskey, Bishop Emeritus of Ferns. In the context of recent media reports regarding the circumstances surrounding his resignation as Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey issued the following statement today: I was never directly or indirectly, at any time whatsoever, requested, or asked in writing, verbally or otherwise, to resign as Bishop of Ferns. I approached the Apostolic Nuncio voluntarily with the request that my resignation as Bishop of Ferns be accepted by Pope John Paul II. The Apostolic Nuncio kindly arranged for me to meet in Rome with the Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, Cardinal Re. Far from asking for, or "forcing" my resignation, both the Apostolic Nuncio and the Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops counselled me to reconsider my decision or, at least, take more time in arriving at it. With regard to any letter about the matter from Rome to me, I wish to state that I received no letter or written communication whatsoever about my resignation before, at the time of, or since I voluntary resigned. Finally, I wish to state for the record that I was treated with the utmost kindness and understanding by both the Apostolic Nuncio and the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops. Brendan Comiskey Bishop Emeritus of Ferns Source: Irish Bishops Conference Communications Office