Pope Benedict XVI has invited Ireland’s top clergy to Rome to be briefed on the "painful" situation which has followed the publication of the Murphy report.According to sources at the Vatican, Cardinal Sean Brady and Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, will brief the Pope as he seeks “information and an evaluation,” on the situation.
Meanwhile the Bishop of Limerick, Donal Murray, is expected to offer his resignation to Pope Benedict in Rome.
Bishop Murray was found to have behaved inexcusably when he failed to fully investigate a paedophile priest during his time in the Dublin Archdiocese.
It is understood he arranged a meeting with the Pope ahead of the Irish Bishops' Conference in Maynooth on Wednesday and after pressure mounted from within the hierarchy, including calls from Cardinal Sean Brady for him to do the right thing.
Catholic Church insiders said Bishop Murray is expected to personally tender his resignation in the Vatican.
It is expected Bishop Murray's resignation will be accepted and he will leave office, although he will retain his title.
In a letter read out at weekend Masses across Limerick, Bishop Murray asked for people to pray for him over the coming days.
"Bishop Murray is acutely aware of the pain and anguish that has been experienced and expressed in the last week," the letter said.
"He is reflecting on the decision that he now has to make."
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