The Roman Catholic Church's much-criticized leader in Ireland announced Friday that the Vatican has approved his successor, a reform-minded priest who has been outspoken on the need for more church accountability on child sex abuse.
Cardinal Sean Brady, who resisted calls to resign in 2010 despite being implicated in covering up abuse of children, unveiled Monsignor Eamon Martin as his eventual successor on the front steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland.
The Vatican confirmed that Martin, 51, has been appointed as Brady's "coadjutor archbishop" in Armagh, designating him as the likely next Catholic leader of all Ireland when Brady retires. Typically Catholic bishops are supposed to retire at age 75, but Irish church officials said Brady, who is due to reach retirement age next year, might stay in his job leading the island's 4 million Catholics...
Dr. Alan Cairns | 8/3/2009
