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Pope refuses resignation in sex abuse scandal
The Pope has refused to accept the resignations of two auxiliary bishops - Eamonn Walsh and Ray Field - who were embroiled in the clerical sexual abuse controversy in Dublin.
It is a major blow to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, who made it clear he wanted the bishops to step aside.
Bishops Raymond Field and Eamonn Walsh tendered their resignations in late 2009 after coming under intense pressure because they had served as bishops during the period investigated by the Murphy Commission into clerical child sex abuse.
"Following the presentation of their resignations to Pope Benedict, it has been decided that Bishop Eamonn Walsh and Bishop Raymond Field will remain as auxiliary bishops," Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said in a letter to priests of the archdiocese.
