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A GAY PRIEST in Northern Ireland has spoken out about his struggle to keep his sexuality a secret.
The man said he contacted the Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster because he had no one else to talk to about his situation.
An actor’s voice was used in the interview.
The priest said he is actively thinking of killing himself because of his sexuality and the church and society’s attitude towards it.
He said he has known he was gay since he was ten years old and growing up gay in Northern Ireland was “very, very difficult”.
“I couldn’t express it in any way. My parents are very conservative in their views and thinking, and being surrounded by people making homophobic remarks and viewpoints was really difficult.”
I really struggled with my sexuality and I suppose I still do to some extent. So for someone to say it’s a lifestyle choice is nothing short of a disgusting slur because there are times I wish I wasn’t gay, so that dismisses the whole theory in my view … it certainly isn’t on my part.
The priest said he and other gay people have been deeply affected by politicians and others repeatedly using this argument in the same-sex marriage debate.
They do not comprehend what that does to a person psychologically. Saying that it’s a lifestyle choice, to refer to gay people as ‘not natural’, that they have chosen to be that way, basically sickens me.
Many gay men and women have taken their own lives, some priests have done so because they felt demonised by such terms.
A majority of Northern Ireland Assembly members voted in favour of same-sex marriage for the first time earlier this month, but the Democratic Unionist Party blocked the motion. It is the only part of the UK where same-sex marriage is not legal.
The first same-sex marriages in the Republic took place yesterday after the passing of the Marriage Equality Referendum in May.
‘I’m not sub-human’
The man said his sexuality “partly” pushed him into the priesthood, adding that many other men have entered the priesthood as a “cover”.
“It’s a convenient way, perhaps, of dealing with it.”
“Of course people say to you ‘You don’t have a girlfriend, you should be married’ – that puts undue pressure on people because if you don’t marry then people assume that there’s something wrong with you, or perhaps you are gay.
I’m not unnatural, I’m not sub-human, I’m not any different to anyone else in society and I am an equal, but that’s not the reality.
The priest said he accepted the rules of his profession when he entered the priesthood but has struggled more with it as he has aged.
He said he has never had a relationship or sex with anyone, but knows some gay priests who have.
The more and more I resist having a relationship or engaging in sex the more and more it’s eating and tearing away at me.
“You come back into an empty house no matter what time of the day, you want to share the high points and the low points of the day. You want to have conversation with someone, share intimacy with someone, which is not there, which I find very difficult and I’m sure many priests find difficult.”
He said he wanted to speak out about his situation in a bid to urge the church to address its attitude towards celibacy and “take a more compassionate view” towards gay people, many of whom are religious.
Suicide helplines:
Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Console 1800 247 247 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement)
Aware 1890 303 302 (depression, anxiety)
Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie – (suicide, self-harm)
Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)
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Didnt see much of Harris lately.Is there an election coming up or something.
@Willie Marty: No its just that when they are under the cosh for whatever latest scandal they’ve caused they always send a Minister from a different portfolio out to explain, or if a female minister is on the news she is always flanked by two male colleagues.
@Liz Dunning: We really need a rest from Fianna Fail especially Skearon, people are sick of the same faces, the perpetual scandals, enough is enough.
@Liz Dunning: I knew it wouldnt be long before the FFG cult followers would be on the case.
@Liz Dunning: They seem to drag out Harris when the likes of Martin and Varadkar and other ministers run for cover. His ministerial record is a disaster…It’s his helpless took that they hope will appeal to people.
@Mr Inbetween: yeah senators on tv instead of a TD, says a lot about them.
@Liz Dunning: most of the FFG government usually hide out there with every scandel going on….the caves full id say
@Liz Dunning: why is he always sticking his nose into other departments ? Must be no work to do in higher Education
@Willie Marty: Lately, Simon Harris has been developing apprenticeships to the extent that over 20,000 are now learning & earning. Access to the 60+ options is now part of CAO, which reduces some stress on students & families.
@D Farrell: is that not his job. ????as minister for higher Education.
I wonder what croney friend fo Fianna gael it will be?
Another job for one of the lads or ladies or inbetweeners !! Was it advertised?
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: Didn’t see it. Flog it anyway. I’d apply.
It’s NOT going to work! Trust has bolted and Ain’t coming back!!! Scrap the TV Tax! Time for Subscription!!! Enough IS Enough!!!
@Liz Dunning: @Liz Dunning: Better scrap it altogether, Liz.
We weren’t put in this planet to support a mouthpiece for FFG.
Nor to keep Golden Boys and Girls in the manner to which they have become accustomed.
If it must be kept, then make it subscription.
And make it live within its means.
The rest of us have to.
By the way, which of the party’s expense accounts do you fall under?
@Liz Dunning: I have never heard anyone actually define what public service broadcasting is. Their explanation would be probably something like the shambles that is the referendum. None of them seem to be able to get a proper handle on explaining it.
Pretty sure the definition of PSB is not the likes of ‘Fair City or Dancing etc.’
@Liz Dunning: Do you know what the So called State broadcaster is showing today apart from Repeats? Hitler..A Life in pictures! I mean WTAF??? You want it, YOU pay for it!!
DEFUND RTE!
In the interest of transparency how much taxpayer money is the chair of the board compensated and how much of an expense account would they have?
@Ron Collins: On the news today, the figure of €30000 was mentioned.
RTE is not a public service broadcaster.
Didn’t the government have a few foreign people over to lecture to us about our security and NATO.
It was held in 4 counties and without attending, the only way to see or hear was the internet. If like the government told us it was very important, why didn’t our Public Service Broadcaster air it ?
The unholy troika of fianna gael, the Catholic church and RTE!
@Liz Dunning: @Liz Dunning: That’d be why they tried to give control of that new hospital down Vincent’s way into the control of the Church?
Despite the repeated outcries.
You should work for the russians, Liz.
Or US Republicans.
You have the same acquaintance with the truth.
@Michael o connor: yeah, it will be far better under Sharia Fein
@Ultimate Warrior: well the Sinaloa Gaels don’t seem to be making a go of it!
@Liz Dunning: You mean like the sweetheart deal made by FF and the religious orders concerning the crimes committed by the Church. The Church and their political wing in FFG have not gone away.
Harris we hope you do this crountry a big favor and step down .
Is the rumour that it will be Paul Reid tru?
@Padraig O’Brien: Why not that chap that messed up Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and DCC?
@Padraig O’Brien: ya. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil!
If Paul Reid gets the RTE Chair gig. Cronyism at its worst.
RTE and this Government is the new , Duffy’s Circus . Clowns the lot of them!!
Just read the Tayto Park article… It’s definitely worth a read…. unfortunately, comments are closed.
Let’s not forget those that insulted and abused those of us calling for RTE to be defunded the last few years. Hypocrites now calling for it
A national broadcaster is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, I welcome this development wholeheartedly
@Ultimate Warrior: Bahhhaa haha ha haha. You’re Funny!!!
@Ultimate Warrior: You mean, like TASS?
PSB does this include the journal,another part of the propaganda machine
Well done Journal,as usual closing comments on GENOCIDE.
Can anyone honestly look at the headlines these days and tell me we aren’t fkd?
Simon (18 previous covids) Harris. A great educated man.
Poison chalice.
Wonder which FFG mate is owed a dig out or thank you for services rendered lol. They are going to be a stalking horse.
have your say