IRELAND
Ulster Herald
ONE of Ireland’s leading commentators on the Catholic Church has expressed surprise at the speed of the Vatican’s acceptance of Cardinal Seán Brady’s resignation.
In line with Church rules, Cardinal Brady offered to resign as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland on the occasion of his 75th birthday last month. That resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on Monday, allowing the Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, Archbishop Eamon Martin (52), to become the 116th Archbishop of Armagh and leader of the Church in Ireland.
Omagh native Michael Kelly, who edits the Irish Catholic newspaper in Dublin, said there was surprise that Pope Francis took just three weeks to accept the resignation.
When Seán Brady’s predecessor Cahal Daly turned 75 in October 1992, he remained in office for four years until his retirement in 1996.
“That would be normal enough,” said the editor. “The surprise is that it has been accepted relatively quickly.
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