THE beleaguered Bishop of Cloyne will step down completely once a commission of inquiry finishes its report into clerical sex abuse allegations in his diocese.The Irish Independent understands that the appointment of an 'apostolic administrator' in Cloyne is part of a two-step process which will eventually see Dr John Magee retire as bishop.
Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Dermot Clifford has been named as the administrator who will take over the day-to- day running of the diocese after Pope Benedict XVI accepted Dr Magee's request to step aside.
And last night Archbishop Clifford said: "I am in charge of the diocese now, as well as continuing to run my archdiocese."
This dramatic change of leadership for the north Cork diocese of Cloyne came after Dr Magee, a former secretary to three popes, had resisted calls to resign for several months.
This was despite a damning report by the Catholic Church's independent watchdog which found he had responded inappropriately to sex abuse allegations and had put children at risk of harm.
The 72-year-old bishop's position had become virtually untenable after the Government instructed the State Commission of Investigation into the Dublin Archdiocese to probe the operation of child protection practices in Cloyne. This is to report by June and to be published later this year.
Archbishop Clifford said he had been asked by Rome "to run everything relating to the governance of the whole diocese" of Cloyne, but that Bishop Magee would remain there as a titular head. He said that all Bishop Magee's time would be taken up assisting the Government investigation and that he would not have time to fulfil other duties properly.
This means that Bishop Magee will not administer confirmations in the coming weeks at which he would have faced protests from angry parents.
Archbishop Clifford's comment dispelled confusion that Bishop Magee's removal from jurisdiction of the diocese might only be temporary.
Powers
The sweeping transfer from Bishop Magee to Archbishop Clifford of full executive, doctrinal and legal powers to Archbishop Clifford were contained in Saturday's statement.
Informed church sources indicated that part of Archbishop Clifford's remit may be to consider holding an ecclesiastical tribunal.
This would investigate whether Bishop Magee complied with rules requiring him to inform the Vatican immediately on learning of complaints against a priest.
Last night, Archbishop Clifford vowed that his focus will be on restoring the trust of abuse victims -- and rebuilding morale within the diocese and Church over the abuse allegations.
On Saturday night, Dr Magee addressed a 300-strong congregation at 6pm Mass in St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh and explained that it would be "very difficult" for him to balance his normal diocesan duties with the workload involved in assisting the Commission of Inquiry.
Maeve Lewis, of the One in Four victim support group, has commended Dr Magee's decision.
"I believe this represents a major shift in the attitude of the Catholic bishops to child protection within the Church."
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