A SECOND bishop was dramatically removed from the Catholic hierarchy in Ireland over child sex abuse scandals last night, with another three senior clerics expected to face the same fall from grace.

Scandal-hit former bishop of Cloyne John Magee, a one-time Vatican aide and the only cleric to serve as personal secretary to three popes, quit the day-to-day running of parishes across rural Cork in March last year.

The 73-year-old, from Newry, Co Down, faced scathing criticism after the church’s own watchdog found he took minimal action on accusations against two of his priests and branded his child protection inadequate and dangerous.

But it took over a year for his fate to be finally sealed after Pope Benedict announced the bishop’s resignation.

He follows bishop of Limerick Donal Murray out of the hierarchy with under-fire Bishop of Kildare James Moriarty, and auxiliary bishops of Dublin Eamonn Walsh and Raymond Field expected to have their resignations formally accepted.

Cardinal Sean Brady, himself criticised over his role in investigations into dead paedophile priest Brendan Smyth, thanked John Magee for his clerical work but insisted the victims of child abuse were most important.

“I wish to acknowledge the long and varied ministry of Bishop John Magee in the Church,” the All-Ireland Primate said.

Bishop Magee, who served as private secretary to three different popes, apologised when the watchdog’s report was first published on the internet the week before Christmas 2008 but initially refused to resign.

His daily duties were taken over by Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of neighbouring Cashel and Emly, last year.

In a statement the resigned bishop said he wanted to sincerely apologise to victims of abuse in Cloyne.

“To those whom I have failed in any way, or through any omission of mine have made suffer, I beg forgiveness and pardon,” he said.