A former President of a Waterford seminary has been dismissed from the priesthood following the findings of an investigation.
Fr. Michael O’Connor was dismissed from the priesthood earlier this week.
A letter was circulated to parish priests and relevant parties within the diocese earlier this week by the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan which confirmed the dismissal of Fr. O’Connor.
In a statement to WLR News, Bishop of Waterford & Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan said:
“In the exercise of my responsibility as Bishop of Waterford & Lismore, and to provide clear information to the faithful of the Diocese, I am publishing the following statement in the interest of the spiritual and pastoral integrity of the Diocese:
I commissioned an inquiry into Father Michael O’Connor of the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore in accordance with Church procedures. This process involved referring the case of Father O’Connor to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican. The result of this inquiry is that Michael O’Connor has been dismissed from the clerical state, and therefore he is no longer a priest.
This decision is solely based on the outcome of this Church inquiry. I will not be making any further comment on the matter.”
WLR News understands that Father O’Connor had not made any request for laicisation from the priesthood.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican deals with matters pertaining to the promotion and protection of the doctrine of faith and morals.
Father Michael O’Connor served as the President of St. John’s College in Waterford, which closed in June 1999 due to the decline in vocations - having had just 13 students at the time of its closure.
The college building and some of the land were subsequently sold to the Respond! Housing Association, while a new pastoral centre was built for the diocese. It has operated on the grounds at Johns Hill, Waterford City since 2005.
