Disgraced Roman Catholic Bishop Eamonn Casey has contacted members of

his former Galway diocese from America, thanking them for their support.

Dr Casey, 65, resigned in May and admitted being the father of US high

school student Peter Murphy after an affair with divorcee Annie Murphy

when he was Bishop of Kerry in the 1970s. The former bishop flew to the

United States on the day of his resignation and his whereabouts since

have never been disclosed. His letters were postmarked Orlando, Florida.