Father Sean Sheehy disapproves of gay couples but hugs sex offenders.

The fact is that Fr. Sheehy was right but his bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired. His bishop was wrong in apologizing. Fr. Sheehy was preaching the doctrine of the Catholic Church and Cannon Law as it stands today, which is his duty as a priest. He was playing by the rules of his church of which he is a senior member. We may not agree with him but as they say 'them the rules'

If playing soccer for example it is not allowed to pick up the ball and throw in the net or to your teammate, it's against the rules of the game. If you break the rules FIFA or FAI will not apologize on your behalf. If you don't agree with the rules find another sport...in other words if you don't agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church find another religion.

One would have to respect Fr. Sheehy for sticking with his principles and that of his church, although one may disagree with him. It's the hypocrites who never attend church except to get married, to baptize their children, for their children's first communion & confirmation that are unbearable and are the loudest when it comes to bad mouthing the church, priests etc. etc. So called a la crate christian ! I can understand and respect both atheists & believers be it Muslim, Hindu, Christian or other but these shower of hypocrites are unbearable.

The media has amplified this one sermon into a nationwide discussion and people on the internet, of whatever views, are reacting.

I would agree with this. I hope he continues down this route as well.

Mass attendees should be told to hand over their daughters if there is a rabble outside attempting to "know" a man. Also, if children mock a bald man it is perfectly acceptable, moral even, for him to get a bear to kill them. You can't pick and choose which bits of the bible are to your taste.

You're not being asked to emulate Lot from the Bible but to emulate Jesus Christ.

I find it surprising how many people are surprised when a priest makes these kind of statements.

This is what the Roman Catholic Church and it's true believers believe in, they think it is sinful to engage in homosexual behaviour just like they think contraception is wrong.

Why do people think that just because wider society has accepted those things that the old RCC has suddenly changed their views?

Are people equally as surprised if an imam calls for gays to be assaulted and punished and women to be segregated or if one of Tom Cruise's buddies comes out and says that by paying wads of cash for "auditing with tin cans and an emeter" one can free oneself from painful and debilitating mental images known as engrams.

Beliefs are often backward or nonsensical and often discriminatory or painful towards others.

What I do find offensive about this gent is what he said and did in that rape case in Listowel and that is the thing that concerns much much more.

He appears to be the last person that should be offering moral guidelines to anyone.

I hadn't connected the dots until I spotted this thread today.