Bishop Ray Browne’s comments follow a sermon given by the retired priest Seán Sheehy, who was filling in as parish priest in Listowel. In his sermon at St Mary’s Church on Sunday, Father Sheehy said people rarely heard about the sin but “it is rampant” in Irish law. He went on to make remarks about abortion, homosexuality and transgenderism. According to reports, several people left the church in protest during the priest’s sermon. On Tuesday, the Bishop of Kerry released a statement on the diocese’s website, saying he was “aware of the deep upset and hurt that has been caused”. “I apologize to everyone who was offended,” Bishop Brown said. “The views expressed do not represent the Christian position. “The sermon at a regular weekend parish service is not suitable for such subjects to be spoken of in such terms.” Speaking on Radio Kerry, Fr Sheehy said Bishop Browne had told him he would “remove all Masses”. Fr Sheehy 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 bottom line.”
