Irish priest relieved of ministry after compromising photo published

Published: 2007-05-24

KILLALOE, Ireland (CNS) -- The Catholic priest from Feakle has been granted a break from ministry after a picture of him posing in just his underpants was published on the front page of the Irish edition of The Sun newspaper. On May 23, the day the photo was published, Father Michael Hogan, 56, issued a statement apologizing for "breaches and indiscretions in relation to my vow of celibacy" and said "these are serious matters that affect my vocation and ministry." Bishop William Walsh of Killaloe issued a statement saying that, at Father Hogan's request, he had granted the priest "a period of time out from his ministry in order to reflect on his position." Calling on the parishioners in Feakle to pray for their priest, the bishop said: "I am aware that his ministry as a priest has been characterized by a deep sincerity and compassion for people in their struggles. I ask that he be shown the compassion and understanding which he has always shown to others in their struggles." An undercover journalist from the tabloid newspaper obtained the picture of Father Hogan on a Web site used by Irish homosexuals to find sexual partners.

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