Bishop Eamonn Casey's remains removed from Galway Cathedral
Eamonn Casey gained notoriety worldwide, after his private life became public in 1992, when it was revealed he had a son with American divorcee Annie Murphy, and had paid her thousands of dollars for the upkeep of the child in the US.
The former Bishop died in 2017 after a long illness, and his body was interred in the crypt of Galway's Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and Saint Nicholas after his funeral mass was held there. Bishop Eamonn Casey. Pic: RTÉ
Last year, an investigation by the Irish Daily Mail and RTE revealed allegations of sexual abuse against the former Galway bishop.
At the time, the Galway Diocesan Office said it would begin a period of 'careful consideration and consultation' about what would happen with his body.
On Saturday morning, it announced that his remains had been 'entrusted' to the care of his family. Pic: Collins Photos
In a statement, it said: 'The diocese would like to thank everyone for their understanding of the situation, for their patience and for their respect as this process was undertaken and brought to a conclusion. Significant consensus emerged around the unique role of a cathedral as a place of unity rather than division, healing rather than hurt, and peace rather than disquiet'.
'Now, with the assent and co-operation of members of the late Bishop Eamonn's family, and following prayers for the dead, his mortal remains have been moved from the cathedral crypt and entrusted to their care'.
The statement went on to say 'It is their express wish that the arrangements they have made for Bishop Eamonn's final resting place remain private.'
No information on when the removal took place was provided in the statement.
The diocese said: 'The members of Bishop Eamonn's family involved ask that their earnest desire for privacy be respected at this time and we pray that God will continue to draw all those who have been affected by this matter into his healing love.'
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