Bishop Ray Browne’s comments come after a sermon by retired priest Seán Sheehy, deputizing for Listowel Parish Priest Fr Declan O’Connor. In his sermon at St Mary’s Church, Fr Sheehy said people rarely hear about sin but said it “is rampant” in the law. He then made disparaging comments about abortion, transgenderism and homosexuality. A large number of people left the church in protest of the priest’s sermon. Today Bishop Kerry released a statement on the matter on the diocese’s website. In his statement, Bishop Brown said he was aware of the deep disturbance and pain caused by the content of the speech in question delivered over the weekend. He apologized to “all who were offended” saying the views expressed “do not represent the Christian position”. “The sermon at a regular weekend parish service is not suitable for such matters to be spoken of in such terms,” the statement added. Bishop Brown said the gospel is a gospel of love and “always proclaims the dignity of every person.” “He calls on all of us to always have the utmost respect for one another.” Speaking on Radio Kerry this afternoon, Fr Sheehy said Bishop Browne had told him he would “remove all masses”. He stood by his sermon, saying, “I know for myself that what I have said cannot be refuted by any honest-to-God Catholic, Christian, or Catholic teaching, and that is the point.”
