Archbishop and Cardinal write to A&B parishioners after resignation of Bishop Conry

Arundel Cathedral

Following the unexpected resignation of the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, Bishop Kieran Conry, Archbishop Peter Smith, who leads the Archdiocese of Southwark, and Cardinal Emeritus Cormac Murphy O'Connor, who served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton for 24 years, before he came to Westminster, have sent letters of support to the Diocese which will be read out at all all Masses this weekend. The texts of both letters follows below.

Archbishop Smith writes:

My Dear brothers and sisters,

The announcement last weekend that Bishop Kieran had offered his resignation to the Holy Father came as a great shock and was very distressing. Working with him in the Bishops’ Conference since 2001, and more recently as a Bishop of the Province of Southwark, I am well aware of all his dedicated work in the Diocese and nationally in his work as Chairman of the Department of Evangelisation and Catechesis.

My heart goes out to you at this difficult time, and I just wanted to write and let you know that I have offered Mass for you and all those hurt or distressed by Bishop Kieran’s actions. I will be keeping you and all those involved in my prayers in the coming weeks and months as you continue your preparations to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese next year.

The words of Pope Francis in his letter to the Church, 'Evangelii Gaudium', struck me as particularly appropriate at this difficult time: “I invite all Christians everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask you to do this unfailingly each day.” May I gently suggest that in the coming weeks and months, you consider having a regular period of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in your parish churches, which would be a very fitting response to that invitation, and an excellent preparation for the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese....

With an assurance of my prayers and good wishes,

Archbishop and Metropolitan 1st October 2014

Cardinal Cormac writes:

My dear People of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton,

I just want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

The resignation of Bishop Kieran and the events accompanying it have been a great shock and sadness to us all.

As it happens, I know Bishop Kieran had intended a letter about the Church to be read out to you today. In it he says: “The Church is what joins us to Christ and builds and supports that relationship. It is also what binds us to one another. It is where we find healing and forgiveness. It is where we find support and encouragement.”

We all need that healing and forgiveness as Bishop Kieran does at this time. We are all dependent upon one another for prayer, support and encouragement in times of trouble and failure. I know that you will pray for Bishop Kieran as he seeks God’s guidance for the time ahead, and for all those who have been hurt by these events.

The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton is a great diocese and will continue to flourish and develop with the renewal that has already begun in preparation for the Golden Jubilee. Know that you are and will always be in my prayers.

With my kindest wishes,

Yours devotedly in Christ,

+Cormac