Irish bishop who fathered child to return from self-imposed exile

Published: 2006-01-24

DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) -- An Irish bishop who fathered a child and used church money for child support plans to end his self-imposed exile and return to Galway. Bishop Eamonn Casey, 78, who served as bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh 1976-1992, will live in the village of Beagh, County Galway. Bishop Martin Drennan of Galway and Kilmacduagh told Catholic News Service in a Jan. 23 telephone interview that when he talked to Bishop Casey in mid-January "he told me to expect him back here in two weeks' time." Bishop Drennan said when he met with the bishop over the Christmas holidays and learned he wanted to retire in Ireland, he offered his predecessor a house. In an earlier press statement, Bishop Drennan said he was happy Bishop Casey had decided to return. He said that since he began serving as bishop in July, he found "that the attitude of the priests and people of the diocese toward his return has been both positive and compassionate."

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