Bishop resigns after ‘shaming’ the diocese

The Rt Rev Kieran Conry, whose diocese covers both Sussex and Surrey, said he had been ‘unfaithful’ to his promises as a Catholic priest.

In a statement which was read out at church services over the weekend, Mr Conry did not specify in what way he had been unfaithful to his vows.

He did, however, say that his actions ‘were not illegal and did not involve minors, leading to speculation from the national press he had been involved in a romantic affair.

Mr Conry, 63, said: “I am sorry to confess that, going back some years, I have been unfaithful to my promises as a Catholic priest.

“I would like to reassure you that my actions were not illegal and did not involve minors.”

He added: “I want to apologise to the individuals hurt by my actions and then to all of those inside and outside the diocese.

“I am sorry for the shame that I have brought on the diocese and the church and I ask for your prayers and forgiveness.”

Following Mr Conry’s announcement, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, said: “This is a sad and painful moment.

“It makes clear that we are always a church of sinners called to repentance and conversion and in need of God’s mercy.

“All involved in this situation are much in my prayers today.”

Mr Conry, originally from Coventry, studied for the priesthood at the Venerable English College in Rome and was ordained in July, 1975.

During the 1970s, he returned to Cotton College to teach English literature and religious education.

In the 1980s he became private secretary to the Apostolic Delegate (Pro-Nuncio from 1982), Archbishop Bruno Heim, and then his successor, Archbishop Luigi Barbarito.

Between 1993 to 2000, he was involved with training counsellors for Catholic Marriage Care.

He edited an official journal for bishops between 1994 and 2001, according to his biography.

He was consecrated as fourth bishop of Arundel and Brighton at Arundel ­Cathedral in June, 2001.