Dr Brendan Comiskey issues statement regarding his resignation as Bishop of Ferns

28 Jan 2003

PRESS RELEASE

28 JANUARY 2003

DR BRENDAN COMISKEY ISSUES STATEMENT

REGARDING HIS RESIGNATION AS BISHOP OF FERNS

Issued by the Catholic Communications Office 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
28 January 2003

ENDS

Further information:
Fr Martin Clarke, Catholic Communications Office
(01) 505 30000 [Office]
(087) 220 8044 [Mobile]
(01) 454 2714 [Home]