Pope Francis has accepted the resignation from the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin presented, on reaching the age of 75, by Bishop Éamonn Walsh. The announcement was made in Rome today, 30 September 2019
Speaking about the retirement, Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns took the occasion to extend to Bishop Walsh every good wish and blessing as he now enters this new chapter of his priestly life.
Commenting on Bishop Walsh’s term as Apostolic Administrator to Ferns (2002 to 2006), Bishop Brennan said that his work in Ferns was ‘pioneering’ and he went on to say that ‘he (Bishop Walsh) imagined and implemented a safeguarding infrastructure – church and state – parish and society – local and national – that has become the blueprint of how the very distressing issue of abuse of children and failings in management are addressed – within and without – the Church in Ireland – and indeed beyond.’
In conclusion, Bishop Brennan said that the achievement of Bishop Walsh’s work in Ferns must be viewed against the ongoing Dublin diocesan responsibilities he maintained whilst in Ferns, and the remarkable ‘very modern caring work of outreach’ for which he is known – in detailed plan as much as in caring word – with and to those, who find themselves on the margins – not only in the physical prisons of our country, but also within the prisons of personal addiction or torment, in which so many of our brothers and sisters, find themselves.
ENDS
