Bishop Admits He Fathered Boy, Says He Asked God’s Forgiveness

GALWAY, Ireland —  A bishop who resigned amid reports that he fathered a child admitted Monday that the youngster was his.

Bishop Eamonn Casey of Galway resigned Thursday after Annie Murphy, 44, of Ridgefield, Conn., said he fathered her 17-year-old son, Peter.

In a statement to parishioners issued through the Galway diocese Monday evening, Casey, 65, called Peter Murphy “my son” and expressed remorse that he had “grievously wronged” the mother and child.

He said he has given $120,000 from church funds to Murphy for Peter’s care.

Since his resignation, the sum plus interest has been repaid on his behalf by several donors, he said, without naming them.

He continued: “I have confessed my sins to God and I have asked his forgiveness as I ask yours. Prayer, guidance and dialogue are clearly necessary before final decisions are reached about how I can set about helping to heal the hurt I have caused.”