The parishioners of an east Sligo village are still reeling from the shock resignation of their parish priest, not only as their pastor, but from the priesthood.
Fr Ian Kennedy, acting parish priest of Ballinafad, on the N4 between Castlebaldwin and Boyle, told the shocked congregation at Sunday morning mass recently that he was stepping down from his ministry 'for personal reasons' but declined to elaborate.
However, it was known that Fr Kennedy has formed a relationship with a woman from another town and that the couple were now parents to a new baby born some weeks ago.
Although it had been suggested that the whereabouts of the former priest was a mystery, it was common knowledge among his former flock that he was with his partner in her home village of Ballinacarrow on the N17 between Collooney and Tubbercurry.
Speaking to a number of the residents of Fr Kennedy's former parish, the support for the former priest was evident.
"His devotion to his duty was beyond what would be expected from any human being," said one elderly man. "He was always there for you, he's done nothing wrong as far as I'm concerned and that goes for all my family too."
It is believed that Fr Kennedy resigned under his own volition and was not 'sacked' or forced to resign by the Diocese.
"I wish him and her the best for the future andf hope they have a happy life together," said a mother of four. "He and her are welcome here [Ballinafad] any time and I know if he walked down the street now he'd be shaking a lot of hands, a well respected man, and always will be."
A young woman told SligoToday.ie, "The church should wake up and let the priests marry if they want to. It might have stopped some of the evil scandals that happened over the years."
Fr Ian Kennedy, acting parish priest of Ballinafad, on the N4 between Castlebaldwin and Boyle, told the shocked congregation at Sunday morning mass recently that he was stepping down from his ministry 'for personal reasons' but declined to elaborate.
However, it was known that Fr Kennedy has formed a relationship with a woman from another town and that the couple were now parents to a new baby born some weeks ago.
Although it had been suggested that the whereabouts of the former priest was a mystery, it was common knowledge among his former flock that he was with his partner in her home village of Ballinacarrow on the N17 between Collooney and Tubbercurry.
Speaking to a number of the residents of Fr Kennedy's former parish, the support for the former priest was evident.
"His devotion to his duty was beyond what would be expected from any human being," said one elderly man. "He was always there for you, he's done nothing wrong as far as I'm concerned and that goes for all my family too."
It is believed that Fr Kennedy resigned under his own volition and was not 'sacked' or forced to resign by the Diocese.
"I wish him and her the best for the future andf hope they have a happy life together," said a mother of four. "He and her are welcome here [Ballinafad] any time and I know if he walked down the street now he'd be shaking a lot of hands, a well respected man, and always will be."
A young woman told SligoToday.ie, "The church should wake up and let the priests marry if they want to. It might have stopped some of the evil scandals that happened over the years."