ATTENTION in the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles now focuses on finding a successor to Bishop Roderick Wright - a procedure which could take a year or more.
Archbishop Keith O'Brien has been appointed as temporary administrator of the diocese as the lengthy process gets under way.
It involves a list of three - the terna - being sent to the Papal Nuncio in London from which one candidate will be chosen and then have his background rigorously checked.
Church authorities in Scotland remain baffled as to how this scrutiny clearly failed to work in the case of Dr Wright. So thorough is the investigation that in the past there have been criticisms that the procedure takes far too long.
That endorsement of Bishop Wright when he was appointed six years ago was one of the factors which influenced Scottish Catholic authorities to accept his categorical denial of impropriety, when allegations were first brought to their attention three years ago.
The three names on the terna will be drawn from the episcopabile, a standing list of names thought likely to be considered as future potential candidates.
Irish Times reporters add:
The controversy surrounding Bishop Wright has been described as "Satanic" by Father Noel Barry, the Cork born spokesman for Cardinal Winning.
Father Barry told RTE radio: "I think that one word which has not been used in all of this anywhere is the word Satanic. Throughout history the devil seeks to undermine the church through its leaders. We need to be very much aware of that, and we need to redouble our prayers."
Asked on the This Week programme what Bishop Wright should do now, Father Barry said he would like him to repent. "Nobody anywhere is beyond redemption. We would like him to turn from his way, to seek forgiveness, to express forgiveness, to make a firm purpose of amendment and to return to the life of the church."