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Congregation cheers as Irish Catholic priest says he's in love, quits Church

Priest, 51, believed to be involved with mother of two

By
DONAL THORNTON
,
IrishCentral.Com Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 9:34 AM
Updated Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 12:12 PM
Read more: Sean McKenna


Fr. Sean McKenna

A popular Irish Catholic priest has quit the priesthood to spend his life with a woman.

Fr. Sean McKenna, 51, received a standing ovation from his local parishioners in Ballymagroarty in Derry when he made the announcement.

The congregation wept and cheered when McKenna said he was leaving the priesthood, having embarked on a "loving, beautiful and life-giving relationship."

McKenna is believed to be involved with a mother of two children who is separated from her husband.

Speaking at the Holy Family Church this weekend, McKenna said he blamed celibacy for his decision to leave the priesthood.

He said he had no choice but to leave after embarking on a “loving” and “beautiful relationship."

“I am here today to tell you that I have decided to leave the priesthood. After a long period of reflection and discernment, I have approached Bishop Hegarty this week to inform him of what I have decided.

“He has, with great regret, agreed to accept my decision. Since being ordained in 1985 I have found my experience of priesthood to be very meaningful and spiritually uplifting.

“However, as you are aware, celibacy is an integral part of the commitment to priesthood. In my personal life, I am in a relationship. The nature of this relationship is such that the rule of celibacy does not allow me to continue in priesthood and to be in this relationship at the same time.”

A spokesman for the Catholic Bishop of Derry, Seamus Hegarty, said Hegarty was “floored” by McKenn'a shock resignation.

Fr. Michael Canny said Hegarty, who was just back from an official visit to the U.S., was "shocked and floored" by the news.

“The bishop was absolutely shocked, he was floored. It was totally unexpected and the decision was final. The bishop had no choice but with regret to accept it.”

Canny added: “In a sense there is so much shock because this came totally out of the blue for everybody. We certainly didn’t expect it.

“He was one of the guys who was highly respected in the parishes he ministred in — Creggan, Long Tower, Ballmagroarty — these communities really valued his opinions and contribution. He has served on countless committees in the diocese.”

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Congregation cheers as Irish Catholic priest says he's in love, quits Church | Irish News | IrishCentral


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Most recent comments - See all comments

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Posted by tullamore on Jan 01, 2010, 07:13 PM EST
Married, the woman is married, isn't that adultery?
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Posted by BishopSean on Jan 01, 2010, 05:14 PM EST
3 of the 4 Gospels note that Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law. And Peter was the first Pope. Furthermore, all the first apostles, other than St. John, were married and went on missionary trips with their wives. Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches have married priests even to this day. Celibacy is fine for those truly called by Jesus to this way of life. Married priests and bishops are considered the rule and not the exception in the New Testament. See 1 Cor. 9:5, and I Timothy 3:2 says a Bishop should be married normally. This is why I am happy in my Eastern Catholic Church.
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Posted by 2BorNot2B on Nov 27, 2009, 03:02 PM EST
To Kathy Callahan: The Church -if you didn't know- is simply the vessel and the guide, not a magic container where those within it are offered perfection and 'salvation'. That, unfortunately takes work, perseverance and the gracious acceptance of God's grace. Salvation is a process, not a guarantee and those who wish to stray, rather than persevere, will find out what their reward is when in front of their judge. --The fact is that despite your loud protestations, the Church was left to the Apostles (not to the common believers, to guide. It ain't a DEMOCRACY!), and they were given 'authority' to bind and loose. They were also assured that their decisions in matters of faith and morals would be protected from error, hence, decisions made long ago by the successors of the Apostles regarding the discipline of celibacy will hold until God decides to inspire them to change it. But be sure that the defection and sins of a few bad sheep, and the screeching and ranting of those who feel themselves to be wiser than the Pope will for naught. So do us a favor and go bang your head against the wall a few times, maybe that will make you feel better and leave the rest of us - and the Vatican - in happy ignorance of your personal opinions which are ultimately irrelevant.
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Posted by 2BorNot2B on Nov 27, 2009, 02:55 PM EST
To Kathy Callahan: Geez, I agree, you'd make a fantastic Pope and new religion foundress. But WHY, OH WHY is the Vatican NOT listening to your "wake up calls"? Maybe because they do not give a flying rat's patootie what you and a bunch of half-a*s practicants have to contribute to the demise of the CC! Ya think? -- Here's a fact for ya honey: it's been some 2000 years and this Church that has been battling with secessionists, heretics and loud opinion-mongers who -frankly, don't do much for it, or for yourselves for that matter- than criticize, tear down and offer corrosive put downs plods along, just as Jesus predicted on Mat 16:18 --So, you put a buck in the collection plate (if that much your anger allows) every other Sunday, when you decide to show up, after the Gospel reading, then leave before the benediction... and that gives you the right to dictate policy and offer solutions for the present lack of vocations, and for the problem with horny priests? -- SAVE THEM FOR THE NEW CHURCH YOU'LL BE SURE TO create AND LEAD! Don't you go worrying your tiny head about the RCC 'losing the masses'. If you had done a cursive reading of the Bible you'd know that Christ spoke plainly about the present situation and guess what..? A lot of people didn't listen, yet the Church abides. The real faithful, however, have no anxiety. We know the Church was founded by THE ONLY ONE who is holy; that it is not full of saints, but that it is a sure refuge for those of us who humbly admit we need to perfect ourselves. continues..
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Posted by liseuxx on Nov 24, 2009, 09:06 AM EST
That's sad. What in the world is going on over there across the pond? Seems like the Irish church is the American church of the 1970s. There's hope though! We have many strong families and bishops now who are leading us CLOSER to Christ instead of closer to the culture of death with its materialism, birth control, abortion, homosexual marriage, etc. Back to the subject-do you think the rest of the Apostles would have cheered if one had chosen to leave Jesus and his mission in this way? Yeah, kickstar, I agreee- an adulterous relationship shouldn't warrant applause.
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Posted by kickstar on Nov 23, 2009, 08:56 PM EST
The only thing that tuis devious looking pope could do to cheer me up would be to throw himself out of the top floor of st peters


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