Irish Catholic Seminary President Dismissed from Priesthood Following Church Inquiry

A former president of a seminary in the diocese of Waterford and Lismore Ireland been dismissed from the priesthood after an internal inquiry, confirmed the bishop of the diocese.

The inquiry into Fr. Michael O’Connor, who served as president of St. John’s College in Waterford city for nine years, was initiated “in accordance with church procedures,” stated Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan.

The case of Fr. O’Connor was referred to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican, responsible for defending Catholic doctrine and formerly known as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Bishop Cullinan announced, “The result of this inquiry is that Michael O’Connor has been dismissed from the clerical state and is no longer a priest.”

“This decision is solely based on the outcome of this church inquiry,” he added, emphasizing that he would refrain from further comment.

St. John’s College ceased operating as a seminary in 1999, when it had only 13 students. Since then, the college and some of its associated land have been re-developed into housing by the Respond voluntary housing association.

It is understood that the matter pertains solely to an internal church inquiry.

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