Cardinal Seán Brady has offered his resignation as Archbishop of Armagh.

In a statement, the Catholic Primate said that his coadjutor Archbishop Eamon Martin would replace him as head of the church here as soon as Pope Francis accepts his resignation.

Cardinal Brady turns 75 tomorrow.

He says he offered his resignation last month "in accordance with the requirement of Canon Law."

Pope Benedict XVI agreed to his request on January 18th in 2013 "for episcopal support and Archbishop Eamon Martin was appointed as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh," the statement says.

This means that as soon as Pope Francis accepts his resignation, Archbishop Eamon will become Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.

"I look forward to the day when my resignation will be accepted and when Archbishop Eamon will take over as Archbishop, a position for which, I believe, he is excellently prepared," Cardinal Brady adds.

Cardinal Brady has previously faced criticism over a secret inquiry in the 1970s into abuse allegations against notorious paedophile Fr Brendan Smyth.

At the time one abuse survivor, Brendan Boland, gave the names of other potential victims to three priests - including Sean Brady - and was sworn to secrecy.

He says the Cardinal should have stepped down years ago.

Originally published 11:03