A 73-year-old priest working in the Diocese of Clonfert until two weeks ago has retired after confirmation that he recently fathered a child with his 31-year-old partner.
In a statement last nigh the Bishop of Clonfert in Co Galway, Dr John Kirby, said he had met both the priest and the woman. The child was born late last year.
"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."
He said the priest had been on loan to the Clonfert Diocese, but that he had ceased working in the diocese.
Dr Kirby added that he considered the issue to be a private matter and would make no further comment.
A 73-year-old priest working in the Diocese of Clonfert until two weeks ago has retired after confirmation that he recently fathered a child with his 31-year-old partner.
"The compulsory celibacy issue has to be addressed," he said. "Should the rule be there to break? I'm not saying what the conclusions will be but at least it is time that we discussed it."
Fr D'Arcy said that many of his friends who had left the priesthood were among the best priests that he had ever met.
"I really think that some of the absolute cream of the priesthood have been lost and I think it's one of the reasons we are in the huge mess we're in at the moment," he noted.
He estimated that over 110,000 priests have left around the world, of which 70,000 would have been leaders in the Catholic Church today if they had stayed, he told RTÉ Radio.