Diocese shocked by Conry’s resignation over affair

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and the Archbishop of Southwark have sent messages of support to parishes in Arundel and Brighton shaken by the ­sudden resignation of their bishop over an affair.

Bishop Kieran Conry, 63, announced his resignation last  Saturday after admitting he had broken his promise of celibacy.

His departure is the first of its kind in living memory in England and Wales and has robbed his diocese and the Church of a gifted leader.  

In a letter to be read out in parishes this weekend, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, who was Bishop of Arundel and Brighton for 24 years, said Bishop Conry’s resignation had been a “great shock and sadness to us all”.

Archbishop Smith, who sent his message to the diocese as it comes under the province of Southwark, wrote: “my heart goes out to you at this difficult time”, adding that he had said Mass for all those “hurt or distressed by Bishop Conry’s actions”. Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor quoted from a pastoral letter on the nature of the Church, written by the bishop, that was due to be read out in parishes this weekend which mentioned “healing and forgiveness”.

The cardinal said: “We all need that healing and forgiveness as Bishop Kieran does at this time.”

Bishop Conry announced his resignation hours before revelations about details of an affair six years ago were published in The Mail on Sunday newspaper. The newspaper also reported on a second friendship – providing photos and a love letter – with a married mother-of-two, 43, although the bishop had denied this relationship was sexual.

Bishop Conry was a leading figure in the Church in England and Wales, heading the bishops’ evangelisation department. 

His departure from the diocese also comes as preparations are under way for Arundel and Brighton to celebrate its golden jubilee. The celebration – planned for July – is entitled “Come and celebrate with our bishop”.

Archbishop Smith paid tribute to Bishop Conry’s “dedicated” work in evangelisation and in his diocese while local priests spoke of their sadness at the news.

Fr Tony Churchill, parish priest of Our Lady of Sorrows in Bognor Regis, said he was only told at midday on Saturday about the bishop’s resignation, adding that reading his statement to an unsuspecting congregation at Mass hours later was “the hardest thing I’ve ever had to read out at a service” in 43 years as a priest.

“I didn’t hear one word of condemnation,” added Fr Churchill.  “People have been saying, if you see him, tell him we love him. We’re all aware that we all sin, and I think the feeling from ­people in this diocese has very much been, let him who is ­without sin cast the first stone.”

His sentiments were echoed by others. Fr Anthony Whale, provost of the diocese and parish priest of St Michael’s in Ashtead, said: “Bishop Conry did a very good job.  He was excellent pastorally, he was a very good preacher, and he was extremely popular.”

The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, said all involved in Bishop Conry’s situation were in his prayers in a “sad and painful” moment, while Bishop John Arnold, newly appointed to Salford, spoke of the “sad loss” to the bishops’ conference, as well as a great sadness to Arundel and Brighton. 

Clare Ward, who worked alongside Bishop Conry at the Department of Evangelisation and Catechesis, said evangelisation events would continue as planned. A conference for 850 people on evangelisation in Birmingham, at which Bishop Conry would have played a leading part, will go ahead in July next year.  The bishop was appointed to Arundel and Brighton in 2001, and before that worked as director of the Catholic Media Office.