Bishop John McAreavy said he was resigning with a “heavy heart” over the controversy surrounding his officiation at the funeral, in 2002, of Fr Malachy Finnegan, a known child abuser.
In a letter on Saturday to parishioners in his diocese, which covers parts of Cos Antrim, Armagh and Down, he said: “Today I am writing my letter of resignation as Bishop of Dromore to Pope Francis. I do so with a heavy heart. I wrestled with this decision over recent weeks; it was not an easy decision to take. Following recent media coverage which has disturbed and upset many people, I decided on Thursday to resign.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/bishop-who-said-mass-at-sex-abuser-s-funeral-resigning-with-heavy-heart-1.3414386
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/bishop-who-said-mass-at-sex-abuser-s-funeral-resigning-with-heavy-heart-1.3414386