“The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has granted my request for
retirement as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh on the
grounds of my ill health. I am very grateful to Pope Benedict for doing
so especially at this momentous time in his own life and ministry.“My decision to retire as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh is based on medical advice which I have been receiving since last August.
It is with great sadness that I come to today’s decision: having grown up locally in the diocese – born in the parish of Lordship & Ballymascanlon in 1941 – and as priest and auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Armagh, I have received great warmth and affection throughout my ministry from the people of the diocese. I thank them for their support in my 21 years as Auxiliary Bishop.
“At this time I wish to pay tribute to Cardinal Seán Brady and to the priests of the Archdiocese of Armagh. Cardinal Brady has been a model episcopal colleague; his humanity, deep faith and natural humility bear witness to the most fundamental of Gospel values.
“Whilst the pastoral work and responsibilities of being bishop and priest in twenty-first century Ireland are both challenging and complex, it is nonetheless a deeply rewarding vocation for anyone called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. I also take this opportunity to pray God’s strength and guidance for all priests and members of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, in their ministries of proclaiming God’s Kingdom.
“I look forward to continuing my pastoral work in collaboration and with the support of the bishops, priests and lay people of the Archdiocese. As I take on a different role I will continue, God willing, to promote and foster the Gospel message in its fullness. I ask that you remember me in your prayers today and in the future.”
Ministry of Bishop Gerard Clifford
Bishop Gerard Clifford was ordained priest on 18 June 1967 and ordained bishop on 21 April 1991. He served as executive secretary of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference from 1984 to 1991.
Bishop Clifford’s episcopal ministry has involved working in many areas including ecumenism, education and, as President of Cura, pastoral care in the area of crisis pregnancy.
As a member of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference Bishop Clifford is a member of its Council for Ecumenism (and Dialogue); member of the Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Care, and has been President of CURA since 2010.
After the 1979 pilgrimage by Blessed John Paul II to Ireland, Bishop Clifford was part of the response by the Catholic Church in Ireland to the late Pope’s special appeal for Churches to work more closely together.
He undertook this work in partnership with the late Church of Ireland Canon William Arlow.