People in Beragh, near Omagh, Co Tyrone have rallied behind the local parish priest who after exposure in the News of the World admitted to his congregation that he was the father of a child.
The Rev Anthony McAnerney, who was prominent in comforting the victims of the Omagh bombing, told parishioners in his sermon at Sunday Mass that he had fathered a child a number of years ago. After reading a statement in which he apologised for any embarrassment he may have caused, the parishioners applauded the 61-year-old priest.
Details of the sex and approximate age of the child are known but the Catholic church has asked that these not be disclosed to protect the privacy of the child and its mother. A church spokesman said he did not expect any "punitive" action would be taken against Father McAnerney.
The issue goes back before the May 1992 revelation that Bishop Eamon Casey had fathered a child, church spokesmen were prepared to say.
"The child knows me well and who I am," said Father McAnerney in a statement.
"I have tried to look after the child and her mother as best I can and used only my own resources. Nothing from the parish or the diocese was ever used to support them. I hope to continue to support them," he added. Father McAnerney is based in the diocese of Armagh.
A church spokesman said that one of Archbishop Sean Brady's predecessors initially would have been informed of the case. "The archbishop, my family and close friends have known from the earliest stage. I have made no secret of the situation to those who had a right to know," said Father McAnerney.
"However, the wellbeing of the child is the most important thing. The wellbeing of the child must be protected. The child's right to privacy must be respected. The child's life must be free from any unwelcome or unfair intrusion." Father McAnerney told his parishioners that he hoped to "continue to serve you with God's help as best I can".
The Rev Martin Clarke, press officer for the Catholic Bishops' Conference, said whether Father McAnerney would be allowed remain in Beragh would be a matter "between him and his bishop".
"Father McAnerney hopes to continue to minister as a priest, and there isn't any question of his leaving his ministry, but whether he remains in his parish is another issue. It's early days yet," he added.
Father McAnerney told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback that when the child was born he made a personal decision to remain as a priest. His bishop at the time "seemed happy enough" to allow him to continue as a priest. Father McAnerney said his parishioners had been very understanding and supportive, and he hoped to remain in Beragh "if I can".
He believed the News of the World coverage of the issue was "unfair, unnecessary and unjust, particularly as regards the child - it could create all sorts of problems".
He had been in touch with the child and the mother since the report appeared, but he didn't wish to comment on what they said to each other.
Mr Paddy Joe McClean, a Democratic Left representative from Beragh, said that local people were sympathetic to and supportive of Father McAnerney, whom he described as "a very caring person".
People in Beragh were angry and resented the "unwarranted intrusion" of the News of the World into the priest's personal life.
