An island priest who publicly equated gays with paedophiles has been accused of causing further offence with his apology.
Father Paddy Sheridan, parish priest of Inishbofin, Co Galway, has admitted that he caused hurt and offence with his remarks in a recent parish newsletter. However, the Gay and Lesbian Network (GLEN) has said that he has only helped to reinforce prejudices with his apology, which reads like "a script from Father Ted."
In the newsletter of May 17th, Father Sheridan had informed parishioners of the island of a "disturbing rumour" that "Bofin had the name of being a great place for gay couples".
He wrote: "Now we have enough problems. I say to every man, woman and child, if there is even a hint of anything in this line, and if any child or adult is ever approached, then the chief of police [sic] must be informed."
He continued: "All steps must be taken to protect people from such abuse. In the old days things like this were swept under the carpet. Not any more. There must be no hiding place for anyone who abuses children.
"Look folks, you had and have a beautiful island. But I warn you, do not presume it will always be so. The morals are not what they should be. We do not want outsiders to come in here and conquer this Island for their own immorality, nor must insiders to so either.
"Immorality destroys an individual, a community, a country, and indeed the world."
Warning parents to talk to their children, Father Sheridan quoted from St Peter: "Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith..."
In the following newsletter, Father Sheridan apologised for "appearing" to equate gay with paedophile, and causing hurt, offence and anger as a result. "To equate gay with paedophile would be a reckless statement," he wrote. "To say that gay people are child abusers would be even more reckless. "Obviously my statement last Sunday was worded clumsily and open to a different meaning than was meant, and as a result some people were very hurt and offended. To you [sic] I say, sorry.
"I apologise unreservedly for any hurt caused. The only point I wanted to get over was that any person who abuses a child is to be reported to the chief of police. We all agree with that. But we must be vigilant."
Mr Christopher Robson of GLEN said that Father Sheridan's comments were unforgivable.
"It's like a script from Craggy Island, as if someone had got hold of Father Ted," Mr Robson said. Father Sheridan's apology was badly phrased and only reinforced prejudices, with its final warning to be "vigilant", Mr Robson said.
"We acknowledge that it may be well meant, but it doesn't read quite like that."
GLEN had considered challenging the priest under the 1989 Incitement to Hatred Act, but a prosecution was extremely difficult under the legislation, Mr Robson said.
"Obviously it will be up to those who have been offended by this to take action, and if so we will give them our full support," he added.
Father Sheridan could not be contacted for further comment yesterday.
