‘my Worst Nightmare’

By Michael Kelly
Irish Catholic
October 25, 2012

http://www.irishcatholic.ie/

Michael Kelly

A priest has said he feels “a great sense of relief” after being cleared of an abuse allegation, an experience he describes as “any priest’s worst nightmare”.

Co. Louth-based Fr Oliver Brennan (67) also said he feels let down by Church authorities who he said failed to show him compassion and respect.

Fr Brennan, who stepped down following an allegation in August 2010, also expressed dismay that he was only cleared by Cardinal Sean Brady at the weekend despite the civil authorities saying he had no case to answer almost a year ago.

During the more-than-two-years that Fr Brennan has been out of ministry he has been unable to say Mass publicly or celebrate the sacraments.

“It has been my worst nightmare,” he admitted to The Irish Catholic this week after 40 years service in the priesthood. He was immediately forced to step aside and leave his parish under guidelines that have been criticised by priests’ representatives as too draconian.

“I felt very let down by the cardinal and diocesan authorities. When they make the announcement to parishioners, there is an insistence in the statement about the...