A RETIRED priest has criticised the selection of Philip Boyce as interim Bishop of Dromore.
Fr Eamon Murray said he believed it was a "disgusting appointment" following his handling of clerical sex abuse allegations when he was Bishop of Raphoe.
Bishop Boyce (78) was selected by Pope Francis to take on the role of apostolic administrator of Dromore following the resignation of Bishop John McAreavey.
Bishop McAreavey stood down amid concerns about his handling of a clerical child abuse scandal after it emerged he had concelebrated Mass with paedophile priest Fr Malachy Finegan in 2000.
Fr Eamon Murray, who lives in the diocese of Dromore, said he believed Bishop Boyce's role in the historic case involving paedophile priest Fr Eugene Greene meant he was unsuitable for the role of apostolic administrator in a diocese that has been hurt by historic clerical abuse.
Eugene Greene was jailed for 12 years in 2000 after pleading guilty to 41 sample charges against 26 victims between 1962 and 1985.
Fr Murray yesterday said he was "incensed" by the news of the appointment.
"I think it is a disgusting appointment," he told the Nolan Show.
"I am really really upset about the appointment of him to Dromore.
He added: "I can't believe this man has been appointed after his tenure in Raphoe".
A spokesperson for the Dromore diocese said Fr Murray is not a priest in the diocese and is under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Northampton.
The spokesperson added: "He does not minister for the diocese of Dromore and does not live in a property owned by the diocese."
