The Vatican’s expected to announce the Pope’s acceptance of the resignation of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin tomorrow.

Jim Moriarty confirmed his decision to go last December, amid public anger over the Murphy report on the handling of abuse allegations in the Dublin archdiocese.

He wasn’t directly criticised in the report, however he acknowledged in December that he ‘should have challenged the prevailing culture’ while serving as an auxiliary bishop in the area.

Michael Kelly of the Irish Catholic newspaper says Bishop Moriarty is well respected in his diocese.

“It’ll be a sad day in many ways for the people of the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin – Bishop Moriarty’s a very popular bishop” he said.

“He’s been a very progressive bishop at a time when other bishops haven’t really been willing to bring lay people in in consultation to talk about the future of the church; Bishop Moriarty has been seen to come in” he added.