Updated 11pm

POPE FRANCIS HAS accepted the resignation of Cardinal Seán Brady.

The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland to Pope Francis offered his resignation in July in accordance with the requirement under Canon Law that he retire at the age of 75.

In a statement earlier today, Cardinal Brady said he was pleased that the pontiff had accepted his resignation. In the past, diocesan bishops have been allowed to remain on in their positions past the age of 75.

He also congratulated Archbishop Eamon Martin who becomes the new Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 11am today.

Cardinal Brady says he will continue to live near Armagh and “help out pastorally” when he can and when he is needed.

“I am looking forward to retirement and, no doubt, it will take me some time to get used to it, but it will be good to have more time for family, friends and to follow the football!” he added.

Hours after this statement, he spoke at a mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh.

RTÉ reports at at this mass, he said that Pope Cranic’s motto “reminds me that I too need to say sorry and to ask forgiveness”.

Controversy

Cardinal Brady has been the subject of much criticism following allegations that he failed to protect children from the abuse of paedophile priest Father Brendan Smyth.

A BBC This World documentary revealed that an abuse survivor had furnished the Catholic Church with the names and addresses of children who were at risk. Despite the information, their parents were never warned about the danger facing their children from Smyth.

Cardinal Brady acted as a notary during the 1975 inquiry.

The revelations sparked a spate of calls for Brady’s resignation from victims of clerical abuse, from other priests in Ireland, and from members of government back in 2012.

Brady subsequently apologised to victims, stating that parents should have been warned.