Irish Priest Admits More Than 100 Child Sex Offenses as His Bishop Asks the Vatican to Remove Him From the Priesthood

A priest of the Diocese of Derry in Ireland has admitted to 109 child sex offense charges covering conduct between June 2023 and April 2025, Catholic World Report said in its roundup of Catholic news, citing BBC coverage published Oct. 5. The outlet reported that the charges include possession of child pornography, attempted solicitation of sexual activity from a child and attempted sexual communication with a minor.

According to Catholic World Report, the local bishop said he would ask the Vatican to dismiss the priest from the clerical state and stated that the documentation required by the Holy See had been ordered finalized and sent without delay. The bishop also said in a statement cited by the outlet, drawing on a BelfastLive report, that no canonical penalty can remove the suffering experienced by survivors, while adding that the church has a responsibility to respond truthfully and decisively.

Catholic World Report said the priest is awaiting sentencing, scheduled for Dec. 9. Readers can find the full reporting at the linked source.