Garry O’Sullivan

The Pope has accepted the resignation of Tipperary-born Archbishop Richard Burke, a member of the St Patrick’s Missionary Society and Archbishop of Benin City, Nigeria.

In a statement released to The Irish Catholic, Archbishop Burke says that the reason for his resignation was his failure to observe his vow of celibacy.

In early 2009 the Archbishop stepped down from his position as Archbishop of Benin after an allegation of child sexual abuse was made against him which he denied. The allegation came from a Mrs Dolores Atwood who alleged she had been sexually abused when she was 14 years of age by Archbishop Burke, then a priest in the Warri Diocese of Nigeria.

Archbishop Burke admitted a sexual relationship with Dolores Atwood but is adamant that she was over 18. An investigation, according to a statement released today by the St Patrick’s Missionary Society, was held by the Society into the abuse claims “found no evidence to corroborate the allegation of child sexual abuse”.

The case was taken over by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and is still with that department of the Vatican.

In his statement Archbishop Burke apologises for the “pain and hurt I have caused Mrs Dolores Atwood and her family. She and I had a caring relationship that began in the latter part of 1989, when she was 21 and I was 40. I was posted back to Ireland in March 1990 and returned to Nigeria in April 1996. In the last 20 years, Mrs Atwood and I met on seven occasions. On three of those occasions our relationship was again expressed sexually. This was entirely inappropriate behaviour and it is something for which I am truly sorry.”

Archbishop Burke’s full statement is below. He has given an exclusive interview to The Irish Catholic and this will appear on Thursday.

Statement from Archbishop Richard Burke on the Holy Father's acceptance of his resignation as Archbishop of Benin City - May 31, 2010

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has today formally accepted my resignation as Archbishop of Benin City, Nigeria. The reason for my resignation is that I have been unfaithful to my oath of celibacy. I am deeply ashamed of my behaviour. I have caused great pain, hurt and bewilderment to those around me.

I take full responsibility for my actions. I wish to express my deepest sorrow for my inappropriate, irresponsible and repeatedly sinful conduct.

On January 6 2009, I was officially informed by the Society Leader of St Patrick's Missionary Society that an allegation had been made to him by Mrs Dolores Atwood that I had sexually abused her when she was a child. I responded immediately that I have never, ever, in my life – in any way –sexually abused a child. This is still my position. It is the truth.

I agreed to follow the Society procedures for dealing with an accusation of child abuse against a member. I returned to Nigeria to put in place the necessary mechanisms for the smooth running of the Archdiocese without a resident bishop. I then withdrew from ministry and followed the laid-down guidelines.

I was recently officially informed by the Society Leader of St Patrick's Missionary Society that, following their investigations in Nigeria, no corroborating evidence was found to support the allegations of child sexual abuse made against me.

I apologize sincerely for the pain and hurt I have caused Mrs Dolores Atwood and her family. She and I had a caring relationship that began in the latter part of 1989, when she was 21 and I was 40. I was posted back to Ireland in March 1990 and returned to Nigeria in April 1996. In the last 20 years, Mrs Atwood and I met on seven occasions. On three of those occasions our relationship was again expressed sexually. This was entirely inappropriate behaviour and it is something for which I am truly sorry.

I apologize to my family, to my relatives, to my friends and to my fellow members of St Patrick's Missionary Society. I also ask the forgiveness of the people, religious and clergy of the Diocese of Warri and the Archdiocese of Benin City. I am very aware that I have hurt many people and I ask their forgiveness and prayers.