The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, turned 75 on Wednesday and was expected to mark the day by offering his formal resignation to Pope Francis. According to the Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law, diocesan bishops are required to offer their resignations to the pope when they turn 75.

However, it does not signal an automatic or immediate retirement.

In a message of hope marking the beginning of Holy Week last weekend, Archbishop Martin said it is the first year in his 50 years of ministry, that he will be unable to participate in or lead Easter services due to restrictions around the coronavirus.

Born in Dublin in 1945, Archbishop Martin was ordained a priest on 25 May 1969. He succeeded Cardinal Desmond Connell as Archbishop of Dublin in April 2004.