Bishop disapproves of 'rogue' priest

By Kirsten Gordon

The Bishop of Kilaloe has expressed his disapproval of a priest who claims to be part of his diocese and who carries out seemingly religious ceremonies ‘without permission’.

Bishop Willie Walsh, told The Irish Catholic newspaper that he ‘absolutely does not approve’ of ‘Fr’ Joseph Ryan’s actions, and says that the priest is ‘not a recognised priest of the Killaloe diocese’.


‘He does not have faculties or permission to exercise any ministry as a priest of the Roman Catholic Church,’ said Bishop Walsh.


'Fr' Joseph Ryan, claimed to be a member of the Order of Marian Apostles (OMA), which Bishop Walsh says ‘he has never heard of and which is ‘not’ recognised by the Catholic Church’ Ryan carries out religious ceremonies, weddings mainly in hotels in Ireland, and people are led to believe that the ceremonies are Catholic.



‘He Fools People’

A local clergyman, who asked not to be named, described Fr Ryan’s ceremony: ‘He Fools people and creates more confusion. It’s a so-called mass with the exchange of vows and rings, as you would normally see in the Catholic Mass’

Bishop Walsh said that ‘a number of people have brought it to my attention over the years’ but it’s not within a Bishops power to prevent this sort of crime taking place or prevent Joseph Ryan carrying out these type of illicit ceremonies.

Fr Joseph Ryan’s website does not mention what diocese he is recognised under or his position, but he gives an Ennis address on the OMA website.

Cannon Law states that only a validly ordained priest can lawfully celebrate the Eucharist.

Ryan, did not return calls from The Irish Catholic this week and it is unclear whether or not he has received a valid or illicit ordination from a schismatic sect.
http://www.irishcatholic.ie/quickfiles/2008/190608/190608.pdf?id=37&sku=190608