Press Releases08 Sep 14

Statement By The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, Church Of Ireland Archbishop Of Armagh And Primate Of All Ireland, On Pope Francis’s Acceptance Of Cardinal Brady’s Resignation And On Archbishop Eamon Martin Becoming Archbishop Of Armagh

Statement by Archbishop Richard Clarke:

‘On behalf of the people of the Church of Ireland I ask God’s blessing and every happiness for Cardinal Seán Brady in his forthcoming retirement. He has been a good friend to successive Archbishops of Armagh and to the wider Church of Ireland throughout his archiepiscopate, and we are grateful to him for this unaffected generosity of spirit. And, on a personal note, I wish to thank Seán for real kindness and warm friendship over many years. We all hope that he will enjoy both true fulfilment and good health in the years ahead.

‘It is a pleasure at this juncture to pray the blessing of God also for Archbishop Eamon Martin, as he takes up new and demanding responsibilities as Archbishop of Armagh. Since he moved to Armagh – shortly after my own arrival – he and I have come to know each other well, and I very much look forward to working collaboratively with Eamon as he now embarks on this new phase in his ministry, and in the life of the Roman Catholic Church here in Ireland.’