Bishop Leo O' Reilly Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore on health grounds. While Dr O’Reilly was not due to retire until next year, the Vatican announced in a communique on December 31 that the retirement had been brought forward. A statement from the Catholic Communications Office said Bishop O’Reilly tendered his resignation following the advice of his doctor and in advance of his 75th birthday on April 10, 2019.
A bishop is obliged by canon law to submit his resignation to the Pope by the time the bishop reaches 75 years of age.