A group of priests and lay people working in the Limerick Diocese have given their backing to the Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray.

Bishop Murray is under growing pressure to stand down after he was criticised by the Murphy report last week.

However, the Bishop said yesterday he would be guided in his decision making by the priests and people of his diocese.

Shortly after 3pm this afternoon a statement was issued from the Limerick Diocese office and signed by eight people working alongside and within the clergy in Limerick.

It stated that lay people working in the diocese and priests met yesterday – following Bishop Donal Murray’s request for guidance as to whether he should resign following the fall out from the Murphy report.

The group stated it was convinced that Bishop Murray was a good person, and that Bishop Murray had a total commitment to truth and justice.

The statement concluded “We believe it would be a retrograde step for a Bishop to resign, he has given us wonderful leadership in this regard – and we believe he is worthy of the whole-hearted support expressed at our large gathering on Sunday”.