Mags Gargan
Bishop Kieran Conry made the announcement in a letter read out at Masses
A leading English bishop has announced his resignation after confessing to being ìunfaithfulî to his promises as a priest.
Bishop Kieran Conry (pictured) made the announcement in a letter that was read out at Masses in his Diocese of Arundel and Brighton at the weekend.
In the letter Bishop Conry, 63, said he has brought ìshameî on the diocese. However, he said his actions "were not illegal and did not involve minors".
His statement read: "I am sorry to confess that, going back some years, I have been unfaithful to my promises as a Catholic priest. I would like to reassure you that my actions were not illegal and did not involve minors.
Future
"As a result, however, I have decided to offer my resignation as bishop with immediate effect and will now take some time to consider my future.
"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.î
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, said: "This is a sad and painful moment.
"It makes clear that we are always a Church of sinners called to repentance and conversion and in need of God's mercy.
"All involved in this situation are much in my prayers today."