A CATHOLIC priest in Derry was given an emotional standing ovation by parishioners at the weekend when he announced from the altar that he was leaving the priesthood.
Fr Seán McKenna told Mass-goers in Holy Family parish that he was stepping down because he was in “a loving, beautiful and life-giving relationship” in his private life.
Fr McKenna, who was ordained at Maynooth in 1985, said that “after a period of discernment and personal reflection”, he had decided to leave the priesthood and had informed the Bishop of Raphoe, Dr Séamus Hegarty, who had accepted his decision with regret.
Fr McKenna said that because celibacy was “integral to the priesthood”, he could no longer remain a priest because of the loving relationship he was in. He said his decision did not follow “any loss of respect for the priesthood” and he told the congregations that “it has been a great privilege to share God’s word” with them.
Earlier this year, Fr McKenna celebrated 25 years in the priesthood. On the weekend of his anniversary, he asked parishioners not to make any financial contributions to him but instead to donate money to designated charities.
The priest wept as he was embraced by parishioners following his announcement.
A colleague and friend of the priest, Fr Michael Canny, said yesterday that Fr McKenna’s decision to leave the priesthood had come as “a bombshell” to him.
“Fr McKenna has tremendous credibility. He found himself in a relationship and he does not want to lead a double life and he feels he cannot continue in this relationship and be a priest at the same time, so he has made his choice to walk away from the priesthood.”