Pope accepts resignation of Dublin's Cardinal Connell

Published: 2004-04-26

DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Desmond Connell of Dublin. Cardinal Connell, 78, will be replaced by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, who had served as coadjutor archbishop of the archdiocese since May 2003. Cardinal Connell has come under fire in recent years for the archdiocese's handling of sex abuse cases. The archdiocese is facing more than 450 lawsuits as a result of child sexual abuse by clergy, and Ireland last year began a state-sponsored national inquiry into the scandal. Others praised Cardinal Connell as a defender of church teaching, particularly on contraception, the Eucharist and the sanctity of human life. The cardinal also was credited with strengthening the archdiocese's financing.

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