The Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, the Right Rev Peter Barrett, has resigned after leaving his wife and three children. He has departed Ireland and is not expected to serve in the Church of Ireland again.
In a brief statement yesterday, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr John Neill, who was Bishop Barrett's predecessor in Cashel and Ossory, said he accepted Bishop Barrett's resignation, which took "immediate effect."
An accompanying statement from Bishop Barrett read: "It is with a heavy heart and soul that I write to you. Following a period of rest and reflection in the midst of deep personal struggle, I regret very much to inform you that I am 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.
"Consequently, I am unable in all conscience to serve you as Bishop with integrity and his Grace, the Archbishop of Dublin has accepted my resignation."
"It has been an undeserved privilege to have so served alongside my colleagues in the House of Bishops. The clergy of the See have been a joy to minister amongst as their pastor, alongside their faithful parishioners and the entire community of Kilkenny College. To each and to all, I ask your forgiveness.
He added: "Above all, it is to my wife and children, who have to bear the burdens of anger, disappointment and pain, that I express my profound sorrow."
Bishop Barrett, who was consecrated three years ago today and who will be 50 on February 8th next, had taken two months of sick leave at the beginning of this month to reflect on his position. This week he decided to resign and the statement to that effect was released yesterday afternoon, following his departure from Ireland yesterday morning.
Last night his wife, Anne, said in a statement also released by the Church of Ireland, "my children and I are devastated by my husband's departure from our family. We love him very much. Our lives over the last 25 years have been dedicated to each other, our children and to the Church of Ireland parishes we have served.
"I have supported Peter wholeheartedly in his work as Bishop of Cashel and Ossory. He has rendered himself unable to continue in this capacity as a gifted, loved and respected servant of the Church. We are fortunate to be surrounded by the support and prayers of family and friends."
She said she would have no further comment and asked that the family's privacy be respected.