Parishoners of the suspended Church of Ireland Dean of Clonmacnoise, Dr Andrew Furlong, have called for his immediate resignation or dismissal from the church.
The select vestries of Trim and Athboy, the elected councils representing the congregations in each parish, both passed resolutions this week stating that the dean's position was "completely untenable".
"We therefore call on him to resign his position and to desist forthwith from issuing statements as Rector of Trim and Athboy and Dean of Clonmacnoise," the first resolution reads.
The second adds: "We are shocked and upset by the statements being made by Andrew Furlong, which render him unaciceptable as rector and dean. We therefore request Bishop Clarke to have the dean's position terminated as soon as possible."
Last month, the Bishop of Meath and Kildare, Dr Richard Clarke, withdrew Dean Furlong's authority to minister in his two parishes for a period of three months after the dean revealed that he did not believe that Jesus was the son of God and questioned the validity of Christmas as a religious festival.
Dean Furlong, who published his views on a Church of Ireland website, said at the time that he had struggled with the central tenets of his faith since he became a rector, but felt there was room in the church for clergy who questioned traditionally-accepted beliefs.
Dean Furlong was not contactable at his home yesterday.