EXCLUSIVE: Father McKenna breaks his silence
Father Sean McKenna - who last weekend announced his decision to leave the priesthood after 24 years - last night broke his silence to tell the 'Journal' that the woman he is in a relationship with is NOT pregnant.
In what he says will be his only interview with the media, Father McKenna told the 'Journal' that the "rumours" about his relationship with separated mother-of-two Elaine Curran are "completely untrue" and have caused "great distress".
"It is for this reason that I now find it a painful necessity to state the following points regarding that relationship," he told the Journal.
"She and I have been friends for many years. However, our relationship began a long time after the break-up of her marriage. At no time did I counsel her. She is not pregnant. There have also been rumours that she does not have custody of her children. This, too, is untrue.
"I also gather that there is still much further speculation going on about matters which are very personal and which relate to that relationship. It was never my intention to comment on such private, personal matters. However, it seems likely that there will be further invasive treatment of these subjects in the press this coming Sunday."
Last Saturday evening, Sean McKenna received a standing ovation from his Holy Family congregation when he spoke honestly about his reasons to leave the priesthood.
"When I announced my decision to leave the priesthood, I did so because I wanted to honestly inform the people and in fulfilment of my responsibility as a priest in a very wonderful parish," he said last night.
"On that occasion I received overwhelming and generous support, understanding and good wishes from the people present and from many others throughout the city and beyond. I greatly appreciate this
"Since that time, there has been extensive media interest and this has taken place with an intensity that I never expected and has continued for much longer than anticipated. The nature of some of the detailed written material about this has caused great distress."
Father McKenna said he gratefully acknowledged the many expressions of kindness, help and concern which he has received throughout the week both privately and through radio, television and the written word.
"Much of the reaction was handled with great care and sensitivity," he said. "For this, I am very thankful.
"This will be the last statement I will be making on these issues. I regret the painful intrusion this has caused in people's lives and I would hope they would understand and accept that this was the last thing I would have wanted."
Father McKenna appealed to be "allowed to live his life in privacy and peace."
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Weather for Derry
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 14 C to 22 C
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