Ferns diocese buys retirement home for former bishop

The Diocese of Ferns has confirmed it has paid nearly €250,000 for a retirement bungalow in Co Wexford to be used by Bishop Brendan…

The Diocese of Ferns has confirmed it has paid nearly €250,000 for a retirement bungalow in Co Wexford to be used by Bishop Brendan Comiskey.

Dr Comiskey resigned in April after severe criticism of his handling of abuse allegations against the late Father Sean Fortune.

Criticism of the bishop had intensified after the screening of a BBC television documentary, Suing the Pope.

The house is about a mile from Fahey's Cross on the main Curracloe-Wexford road and cost the diocese €234,000. It will be available to Dr Comiskey for the rest of his life but will remain the property of the diocese.

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As well as having the house paid for by the diocese, Bishop Comiskey is to receive what has been described as a "modest retirement pension" that is jointly funded by contributions from the Diocesan Retirement Fund and the Bishops' Conference Pension Fund.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Ferns said provisions for the welfare of a retired bishop were laid down in Canon 402 of the Code of Canon Law.

It states that a bishop whose resignation from office is accepted by the Pope retains the title of bishop emeritus of his diocese and can retain a residence in the diocese if he wishes.

The spokesman confirmed the role of the diocese in acquiring the bungalow for the former bishop.

He also said the arrangements were similar to those made for retired bishops in other dioceses.