Cardinal Sean Brady has offered his resignation as Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh.

In a statement, he says his coadjutor Archbishop Eamon Martin will replace him as head of the Catholic church here as soon as Pope Francis accepts his resignation.

Cardinal Brady turns 75 tomorrow.

He says he offered his resignation to Pope Francis last month in anticipation of his 75th birthday.

In January of Last year the then Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Eamon Martin as Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh to provide episcopal support.

Once his resignation is accepted Archbishop Martin will become Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.

Cardinal Brady says he looks forward to the day when his resignation will be accepted.