A priest in Dublin received a standing ovation when he came out as gay during Mass.

Father Martin Dolan, a priest at Dublin’s Church of St Nicholas of Myra, made the revelation during Mass on Saturday.

He opened by calling for his parishioners to vote for same-sex marriage in the upcoming referendum this Spring.

Adding to his call, Father Dolan – who is the sole priest in the Parish, and who has led the church for 15 years – came out as gay. He received a standing ovation from his parishioners, who warmly welcomed the announcement.

Community youth worker Liz O’Connor told the Irish Sun: “We are all very proud of Father Martin. Because he has admitted that he is gay doesn’t change the person that he was before he said it.”

She also warned the Catholic church against moving the priest, saying: “I wouldn’t like to see him being moved for the statement he made. That would be horrendous. He should be supported.

“He has done nothing wrong. If he’s moved, there would be uproar in this parish. He’s still the same man today.

“Father Martin has always been an advocate of people’s rights, and even spoke about the child abuse in the Church.

“He is right to advocate gay rights… He should not be condemned by the hierarchy of the Church; he should be supported.”

The Dublin Archdiocese declined to comment.