THE BISHOP OF Derry has tendered his resignation to the Vatican citing health reasons.

Dr Séamus Hegarty said in a statement today that he had recently been diagnosed with a condition “which is unfortunately, irreversible and progressive”.

He said he is receiving treatment for this condition but following a recent medical assessment it was determined that he is no longer able to fulfil his role as Diocesan Bishop.

Bishop Hegarty said he had hoped to continue until he was 75 but said that he was now obliged to submit his resignation as he has done to Pope Benedict XVI.

Born in 1940, he was ordained a priest in 1966 and was consecrated as rBishop of Raphoe in March 1982. He was appointed Bishop of Derry in October 1994 and installed as bishop in the diocese the following month.

“It is my intention to maintain a pastoral ministry, to the extent that I am able, into the future. I ask for prayers at this time,” he added in a statement.

It is the fourth Irish diocese to become vacant with three other bishops already having passed retirement age. There are a total of 26 dioceses in Ireland.