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Irish Priests Regular Visitors To Gay Bars, Report Reveals

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New research indicates gay priests in Ireland aren't exactly taking the "celibacy" part of their calling to heart. In Thirty-Three Good Men: Celibacy, Obedience and Identity, Dr. John Weafer conducted anonymous interviews with dozen of clergymen, some of whom were in long-term gay relationships.

 "I am very happy with his life as a priest and a person," said one, Father C.

 Another marginally closeted priest told Weafer he never slept with a man before being ordained. "Although we both vowed it would never happen again, it did and I was really very confused," said the cleric.

Father L, as he's called, "discovered a strong clerical gay scene" in Ireland, with "quite a lot of gay guys in the priesthood." In one instance, he walked into a gay club in Dublin and recognized at least nine other priests. (Father L has since left the clergy.)

While such allegations might shock your delicate years, Weafer says Church leaders know exactly what's going on but turns a blind eye “as long as priests don’t go public and don’t flaunt those actions that don’t correspond with being a celibate priest."

And if he doesn't keep it on the downlow?

“If a priest was to say in the morning ‘I am gay’, he would be fired. Priests have learned to keep their heads down.”

Weafer says most of the 33 priests her interviewed were heterosexual, were still celibate, but were unhappy with mandatory celibacy in the clergy. His research revealed that the priests who were most content with the celibacy requirement were younger priests.

Perhaps they were running away from their sexuality?

h/t: The Independent

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