Statement by Bishop Philip Boyce on the resignation of Bishop Séamus Hegarty

08 Nov 2011

Statement by Bishop Philip Boyce, OCD, Bishop of Raphoe on the resignation of Bishop Séamus Hegarty

I am saddened by the news of the resignation, submitted by my predecessor Most Rev Séamus Hegarty as Bishop of Derry.

He has served the Diocese of Raphoe and then the Diocese of Derry very well for almost thirty years – twelve of them in Raphoe and seventeen in Derry.

I had known that he had health problems for the past while. Although he had hoped to continue in his office until the age of 75, he now feels, as he himself has stated, that he is obliged on medical grounds to resign.

Our grateful prayers and good wishes are with him for the coming years.

+ Philip Boyce, OCD

Bishop of Raphoe

Further information:

Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm 00353 (0) 87 310 4444