A 73-year-old priest, who until earlier this month was based in a rural parish in Co Galway, has retired following confirmation that he recently fathered a child with his 31-year-old partner.
The priest, who was working as a curate in the Diocese of Clonfert until a fortnight ago, has ceased work in the diocese, his bishop confirmed last night.
Sources have indicated that the birth of his child late last year will have no impact on his status as a retired priest.
The Bishop of Clonfert, Dr John Kirby, who has been dealing with the case, released a statement last night via the Catholic Communications Office.
It read: "On January 6th a priest on loan to the Clonfert Diocese confirmed to me that he had recently fathered a baby with an adult woman. Since then, I have met both the priest and the mother.
"I hope that the priest, who has ceased to work in the diocese, the mother and all those involved be given appropriate time and space to plan for their respective futures."
The bishop added: "I consider this to be a private matter and as such I will make no further comment." When contacted Dr Kirby declined to comment further.
The priest has become a well-known member of the local community while serving in parishes in south Co Galway, and is a prominent member of a local golf club.
He is a native of Co Limerick and prior to becoming a priest worked as a bank official. Some years ago, he celebrated 40 years in the priesthood.
It is understood that the priest has been in a long-term relationship with the mother of his child. She is originally from the west of Ireland but has recently been teaching at a school in Dublin.
Her relationship with the priest began about two years after he returned to Ireland from the United States where he was based mainly in Texas.
He has been working in south Galway for the past 11 years. However, he is still officially classified as being "on loan" to the western diocese.
It is believed that he plans to stay in the west of Ireland, for the immediate future at least, where he and his partner plan to raise their baby.
