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KILDORRERY, Ireland (ChurchMilitant.com) - The latest scandal to rock the Irish Church involves the desecration of a church by a "priest" engaging in gay sex on the high altar.

The recent incident happened in St. Bartholomew's Church in Kildorrery, Ireland. Images obtained by Church Militant show a man dressed as a priest caught engaging in oral sex and other sexual activity with another man laid across the altar in the church.

Anthony Murphy, director of Lumen Fidei Institute, a Catholic lay association in Ireland, told Church Militant, "A profane and wicked attack has taken place and I am surprised the bishop has not closed this church for the investigation to take place especially as there is a possibility that the church will need to be reconsecrated."

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"Dressing as a priest and committing acts of grave depravity on a consecrated altar indicate satanic motivation," Deacon Nick Donnelly, former website director of "Dressing as a priest and committing acts of grave depravity on a consecrated altar indicate satanic motivation," Deacon Nick Donnelly, former website director of EWTN-Great Britain , explained to Church Militant. "It is a vile attack against Our Lord, Holy Mother Church and the sacred priesthood." The church is in a wealthy area and is open all day, with parishioners coming and going, thus some conclude either the men enjoyed taking risks and snuck in during its open hours; or otherwise they are staff with ready access to the church and came in after hours. The diocese has asked Garda (Ireland's police force) to investigate, while refusing to comment on the specifics of the case in view of "the criminal nature of the alleged incident." The investigation will look into the accuracy of the photos along with the church where the sacrilege occurred. A source close to the situation told Church Militant he is asking Bp. William Crean of Cloyne to investigate whether the man disguised in clerical garb is a priest. Suspicions revolve around Fr. Michael Lomasney , whose resignation was accepted by Crean last year owing to revelations of alcoholism. It is alleged that the image involving oral sex was posted on a gay dating app. Two young men, 18 and 19, claim they met this priest through the hook-up site and the priest took them to St. Bartholomew's for sex. The allegation, however, remains anonymous and has not yet been verified.

Dressing as a priest and committing acts of grave depravity on a consecrated altar indicate satanic motivation.

Murphy of Lumen Fidei stressed the connection between the sacrilege and the upcoming abortion referendum, which "highlights the level of satanic activity in Ireland at this time and reveals the urgent need for reparation, penance and prayer."

"I am extremely disappointed that the Bishops of Ireland have not been more active in leading the faithful in this area and encouraging a spiritual campaign of prayer and sacrifice against the dark forces which now encircle Ireland," said Murphy. "Our land is in desperate need for courageous bishops to prophetically teach the moral truths of the Church without fear of favour and until they do the evil will continue to spread."

And Donnelly told Church Militant, "The men who have degraded themselves through these acts of sacrilege have committed a mortal sin, and are in danger of Hell if they die unrepentant."

The diocese of Cloyne declined to say if the church will be reconsecrated following the act of sacrilege, as required by canon law.

Donnelly insisted, "It is imperative that the altar, sanctuary and church are reconsecrated. Now that the church has been identified I hope that the bishop has arranged such a service of reconsecration."

To view the images, click on this link (warning: graphic)



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