Father Peter McDonough, a Roman Catholic priest, has quit the Catholic Church after confessing from the pulpit that he has a four-year-old son.Father McDonough, 54, announced the news during Sunday mass at St Patricks RC Church in Collyhurst, Manchester.
He told worshippers that the service would be his last.
It is thought that the priest met the boy's mother through his ministry. She is not thought to have been a member of his congregation.
Father McDonough, who is deaf, made the revelation about his son after performing a mass in sign language.
He asked parishioners to sit down before breaking the news. He then announced that he would be stepping down from his role as a priest.
Father McDonough has since declined to speak about the matter. However, Monsignor Mark Davies, vicar general of the Salford diocese, said: It was with great sadness that the deaf community and the whole Catholic community in Collyhurst learned of Father Peter's decision on Sunday.
Following much reflection and many conversations with his bishop, Father Peter McDonough has reached this personal decision.
He added: "The outstanding work of St Joseph's Mission to Deaf People to which Father Peter dedicated so many years of his priestly life will continue to be fully supported by the Salford Diocese."
Father McDonough, who had been at St Josephs for 27 years, reached his decision to resign after having several meetings with his bishop, the Rt Rev Terence Brain.
However, church authorities insist that it was very much his decision.
Monsignor Davies said: Father McDonough has left the church and is now taking time to consider what to do next. He wants to take responsibility for the child and he needs to look for full-time employment. He finished on Sunday and he is looking at his life."
A number of parishioners expressed their shock at Father McDonoughs revelation.
James Kenny, 85, said: This will come as a big shock to everyone. He has let down the Catholic community. People have been confessing to him I've confessed to him and he's been carrying this big secret. What faith can you have in someone like that? He should have done this as soon as he knew about the child."
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