What Happens When A Catholic Priest Decides To Leave the Catholic Priesthood Owing To Paternity?
In March 2022, the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference confirmed to Coping, that priests who leave ministry may expect support from the diocese to assist during the period of transition to the lay state, especially when they have become a parent.
The Bishop’s Conference notes, “All dioceses provide appropriate assistance to priests who leave priestly ministry, to help them to adjust to life outside ministry and to become financially self-supporting. In the case of priests who leave ministry on account of fathering a child, the Church authority will also take into account the Principles of Responsibility approved by the Irish Episcopal Conference in 2017.”