Archbishop Diarmuid Martin Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin has given a strong indication that he may well step down before he is due to retire in April 2020.
Dr Martin – who first came back to Dublin as coadjutor archbishop in 2003 and succeeded Cardinal Desmond Connell the following year – has presided over one of the most turbulent times in the history of the diocese and has been widely credited with facing the crisis of clerical abuse head on.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio at the weekend, Dr Martin was asked about the disconnect between the Church and many young people. “My days are nearly over – I’m 73 and a half,” he said, “whoever takes over from me I will say to him: ‘here’s an area where I have failed. That’s the big challenge for you – how do you get in touch with thee great young people?’”.
He added: “I’m moving on,” to which presenter Marian Finucane put it to Dr Martin that he is due to submit his resignation in line with Canon Law to the Pope in 2020. However, Dr Martin paused before replying “Well, yeah, maybe”.
He insisted “I don’t want to open the stakes and have the stakes for succession going.
“That’s only damaging, so I may get out early,” he said.