Priest Takes Temporary Leave of Absence As Porn Row Rumbles on

Tyrone Times
April 25, 2012

http://www.tyronetimes.co.uk/news/local/priest-takes-temporary-leave-of-absence-as-porn-row-rumbles-on-1-3767824

The Auxilary Bishop of Armagh the Reverend Gerard Clifford conducted the confirmation of pupils from St Mary's PS Pomeroy, St Joseph's PS Galbally and Sperrin Veiw special school. The servixe was concelebrated by Fr Martin McVeigh PP Pomeroy, Fr John Connolly and Fr David Moore.

A PRIEST at the centre of a media storm surrounding the showing of sexually explicit to parents who had gathered in Pomeroy to hear a presentation about their children's First Holy Communion, has taken a temporary leave of absence at his own request.

Following a stormy meeting on Friday night between around 25 of the 30 parents who had witnessed the offending imagery and representatives of the Archdiocese of Armagh, Fr Martin McVeigh's future remains uncertain.

According to weekend newspaper reports, an 800 word Church statement clearing Fr McVeigh of any wrongdoing was read out, but was not released publicly after the lengthy meeting with parents.

When the statement suggested Fr McVeigh had given great service to the Archdiocese of Armagh, there were said to be loud objections from the floor.

It is believed the meeting was also told that the memory stick, on which the offensive images were stored, had been destroyed before they could be viewed by the Church inquiry team.

Late on Friday night, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Armagh released a statement which said: "A meeting took place in the Parish of Pomeroy, Co Tyrone, between parents and representatives of the Archdiocese of Armagh.

"The outcome of the meeting was inconclusive. There will be a further meeting at a time, date and venue to be confirmed by the parish of Pomeroy. Father Martin McVeigh, at his own request, has asked for temporary leave and Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, has agreed to this request without prejudice to any of the parties involved. No further comment will be issued at this time."

The Church launched an investigation after around 30 parents and one eight year-old child were shown up to 16 pornographic images of men as Fr McVeigh prepared the PowerPoint presentation on March 26 at St Mary's Primary School in the village.

Fr McVeigh, who is originally from Killyman, said he was "shocked and bewildered" by the images, which were saved on a memory stick, and denied they were his.

He said the stick was owned by the parish and used by other people.

A "unanimous" statement issued a number of days following the incident on behalf of the parents, demanded answers as to why Fr McVeigh had not been suspended by the Church.

Parents also insisted they would not allow their children to make First Communion if Fr McVeigh was involved.

Representatives of the Archdiocese of Armagh met concerned parents of First Communion pupils on April 7.

On April 9 a parish-owned laptop was reported stolen from the Adoration Chapel, behind the Church of the Assumption in Pomeroy.