THE CATHOLIC Communications Office yesterday said Cardinal Seán Brady had asked the pope “for additional support for my work” in 2010.
The office was correcting a newspaper report yesterday, which said that the Vatican had turned down an offer by Cardinal Brady to resign in 2010.
At a press conference in Maynooth on March 20th, this request was referred to by Cardinal Brady, who explained that his previous request for episcopal support in 2010 had been put on hold pending the outcome of the apostolic visitation to Ireland last year. That request had been reactivated, he said.
In May 2010 he told The Irish Times about what sort of support he was seeking. While he had asked the pope for help at episcopal level “it’s not yet clarified if it’s a coadjutor or auxiliary [bishop]” that would be provided.
There is a major difference. A coadjutor bishop has automatic rights to succession under canon law. An auxiliary bishop has no such rights. In February 1995 Cardinal Brady was himself ordained coadjutor archbishop of Armagh and was installed as archbishop in November 1996. He succeeded Cardinal Cahal Daly.
In 2010 he said: “When I came here in 1995 there were three bishops. But I’m now 15 years older. I would welcome any help in any commitments I have to fulfil.”
He pointed to the archdioceses of Dublin, and Down and Connor where there are two auxiliary bishops each. The cardinal will be 73 in August. As with all bishops, he is obliged to submit his resignation to the pope at 75.
