Apology over bishop's departure

Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Most Rev John Neill has apologised "in all humility . . . to all those church members who have been let down or disappointed" following the resignation of the Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, Right Rev Peter Barrett.

Archbishop Neill was speaking at St Canice's cathedral, Kilkenny, yesterday. "We are all sad for Bishop Peter and Anne and their family, and also for the other family equally broken in the sad events of the last few weeks and months," he said.

In a statement on January 25th, Bishop Barrett said he was "no longer able to cherish my marriage with the love my supportive wife, Anne, so deserves. As a result, I shall be separating from her on my own volition."

He felt "unable in all conscience" to serve as bishop. It is understood Bishop Barrett had become involved with another woman. She has left her husband and family to be with him abroad.

Archbishop Neill said yesterday that some people "felt annoyed at the lack of information", that they had read stories in the press which were neither denied nor confirmed by the church. He said the bishop and his family, like any other family, had the right to be treated in confidence by the church.

Commenting on Bishop Barrett's resignation, he said he and others "did our best to seek a way in which the sad, indeed tragic, situation might be prevented".