Church where Kerry priest ranted against gay people gets silent protest – Cork Beo
A silent protest took place yesterday outside the church where a controversial sermon delivered by a priest in Kerry resulted in over 30 walking out of mass.
Flowers and pride flags were laid on the railings of St Mary’s Church in Listowel on Sunday by the LGBTQ+ community as Sunday mass took place.
It is understood that members of the Green Party in Kerry supported yesterday’s gathering, with one member saying they wanted to highlight how Kerry has an LGBTQ+ community and that they also belong to God.
He said the gathering was in response to what Fr Sheehy said last week and to “empathise with those mentioned in the sermon and wish to act in solidarity with the rainbow community in Kerry and throughout Ireland”.
At Sunday Mass, the local parish priest, Canon Declan O’Connor apologised for the remarks Father Sean Sheehy made as he condemned same-sex relationships and trans people while he also criticised free HSE condoms for teenagers, claiming it promoted promiscuity.
Fr Sheehy caused further anger during the week when he reiterated his comments on the radio saying that gay people, including Tanaiste Leo Vardkar, are “doomed to hell if they don’t change.”
During the mass, Canon O’Connor said he “enforces what Bishop Ray Browne has to say” in the statement published on the diocesan website.
He said: “I have seen a statement from Bishop Ray [Dr Ray Browne] which was published on our diocesan website. I enforce what Bishop Ray has to say. I too add my own apology.
“The Gospel message is very clear, it’s a message of love, as Jesus said, he said to love one another. He said to his disciples ‘love one another as I have loved you.
“So all His love is all-embracing. So, as always, a sincere thanks to you all for your prayers and support and rest assured we did pray for all our parishioners on several occasions and they were included in our prayers on the parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land.”
He added: “That’s what his message was. It was a message of love and while we’re reflecting on that it was very unfortunate you had this controversy here last weekend with the events that happened during the week and the homilies that were delivered here at your Mass last weekend.
“I’m deeply sorry to hear people were upset or hurt about what was said. Listowel parish, as you know, and I certainly know it, is a wonderful parish.
“Our church at St Mary’s is a warm, welcoming inclusive church and one where people are dealt with in a caring compassionate manner.”
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