Cardinal looking forward to retirement

Cardinal Desmond Connell, whose resignation as Archbishop of Dublin was accepted by Pope John Paul yesterday, said he was "greatly looking forward to retirement, and I am delighted that I will be living close to where I was born and reared".

His new home will be at Iona Road, Glasnevin, Dublin. "At a personal level, there will be a period of adjustment, but it will be good to have time to spend with family and friends and to catch up on my reading.

"As a cardinal and as a member of several Vatican congregations I will, of course, be travelling to Rome from time to time," he said.

The cardinal submitted a letter of resignation as archbishop to Rome three years ago, when he reached 75. It is required of all bishops when they reach that age. From then, it is at the discretion of Rome when the resignation is accepted.

In an address to mark the event at Archbishop's House yesterday, the cardinal said the day really belonged to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

"It is a special day for him, his family and his friends. It is also a happy day for me and for the priests and people of the diocese as the Holy Father, in his wisdom, has chosen one so highly gifted and experienced to assume pastoral responsibility for well over one million Catholics in the archdiocese.

Archbishop Martin was now "back among his own, and he will experience many challenges and joys in the years ahead. I wish him every fulfilment and blessing, and I assure him of my personal support and prayers at all times," he said. The cardinal said he was "grateful to God for calling me to serve the people of Dublin and the universal church for the past 16 years.

"It has been a wonderful experience which has put me in touch with so many people in Ireland, in Rome and elsewhere." It was a particular privilege "to have come into close contact with the Holy Father himself, who has given the church such magnificent leadership over the past 25 years," he said.

He was "most grateful to all who have assisted and supported me in my ministry as Archbishop of Dublin.

"In particular, I thank my assistant bishops, my brother priests and my close collaborators for their loyalty and kindness at all times."

He offered "fraternal greetings to the clergy and members of other Christian churches in Dublin". He noted: "By coincidence, Canon Desmond Harman is this evening being installed as dean of Christ Church Cathedral, and I wish him every blessing in his ministry. I also extend my best wishes to members of other faiths who now form such a significant and welcome part of the population," he said.

He concluded: "The words of Simeon in the Nunc Dimittis come to mind: 'At last, all-powerful Master, you give leave to your servant to go in peace, according to your promise'."