A priest in Kerry has sparked a backlash after he told a crowd that sex between two men or two women is a sin and that free condom schemes from the HSE encourage promiscuity.
Parish priest Fr. Declan O'Connor's representative, retired priest Fr. Sean Sheehy said during a sermon at St Mary's Church in Listowel.
He also said Irish legislation took a "crazy approach" to "transgenderism".
Dr. Ray Browne, the Bishop of Kerry, issued an apology for the homily this morning, claiming that the ideas presented were not those of Christianity.
Bishop Browne acknowledged "the tremendous upset and grief" brought on by the homilies in issue that were delivered over the weekend in a statement that was posted on the diocesan website this morning.
"I apologise to everyone who was hurt. The opinions stated do not reflect the position of Christians. It is inappropriate to bring up such topics in the homily during a regular weekend parish Mass.
The dignity of every human being is constantly proclaimed by the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which is a gospel of love. It exhorts us to always treat one another with the utmost respect.
Three verses from the Bible were quoted, including this one from the Gospel of John: "Think of the love that the Father has bestowed on us, by letting us be called God's children; and that is what we are."
’1980s Ireland’
Many individuals protested by leaving the Sunday morning mass. In a video becoming viral on social media, a churchgoer can be heard yelling at the priest.
The video received negative feedback on Twitter and Facebook. The sermon, according to one attendee who spoke with The Journal, was "like going back to 1980s Ireland."
This video from St Mary’s Church in Listowel is absolutely shocking…. pic.twitter.com/VYHu3Ktc3d
— Shane McAuliffe 🐷✈️ (@ShaneMcAuliffe1) November 1, 2022
"You rarely hear about sin, but it's rampant," Fr. Sheehy said to the congregation. It's widespread. We can observe it, for instance, in the law. We observe it when sex between two males and two women is encouraged, when transgenderism is used as an example, and when abortion is promoted.
"That is wrong. That is a serious sin.
There were kids and families in the congregation of the anniversary mass in question.
Additionally, Fr. Sheehy criticised the HSE for giving out condoms to girls, which he claimed encouraged promiscuity.
He reportedly stated, "Those of you who happen to be going today, God assist you, is all I have to say," as many appeared to leave the gathering. God bless you for coming here to worship him. God's blessings on you all.
Fr. Sheehy, who relocated to Kerry in 2007 from Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the US, made headlines in 2009 when he shook hands with Danny Foley of Listowel, a convicted sex offender, and provided a character reference.
Dr. Bill Murphy, the Bishop of Kerry, afterwards expressed his separation from his behaviour.
