Cleric at center of sex film scandal given ‘personal leave’ by church
A young priest in Ireland, who was filmed having gay sex on the altar of a church, has gone into hiding after being placed on leave.
The man has reportedly been removed from his duties to deal with personal issues and mental health problems.
A report in the Irish Mirror newspaper, claims that the daily has seen an internal church document confirming that the priest at the center of the alleged scandal has taken a leave of absence from his duties.
Personal leave to deal with issues
’He has taken so-called personal leave to deal with his issues.’ The paper quoted a source saying. ‘It is understood he has been suffering from some mental difficulties and some addiction problems.’
The paper also quoted the source as saying: ‘This has been a major scandal in the area and people are devastated by it all.’
An investigation into the matter, which took place in St Bartholomew’s Church, Kildorrery, in the Cloyne Diocese of North Cork. is still ‘ongoing’, the paper said.
Footage of a man wearing priest vestments and performing sexual acts with another man first emerged online in May 2018. The Irish police force, the Garda, then launched an investigation into the matter.
When the video emerged online, excommunicated Irish ‘bishop’ Pat Buckley brought the recording to the attention of church leaders.
Buckley is no stranger to gay scandals. In 2016 he hit out at the Catholic Church for attempting to silence him after Google temporarily removed one of his blog posts.
