Belfast Priest at Centre of Affair Claims Says He Is to Go on Retreat

By Maurice Fitzmaurice
Belfast Live
March 31, 2015

http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/belfast-priest-centre-affair-claims-8958415

Fr Ciaran Dallat

A priest accused of having an affair is to go on retreat “in an effort to repair the damage and hurt that I have caused”.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening Fr Ciaran Dallat said it is his “sincere hope is that with this support I will be able to resume the exercise of priestly ministry”.

The move comes in the wake of claims made in a newspaper earlier this month that the 52-year-old cleric, from St Peter’s Cathedral in west Belfast, had a relationship with a 49-year-old businesswoman.

Up until tonight, the Diocese of Down and Connor had declined to comment in detail on on the allegation. The woman claimed the affair began in Belfast in 2012 after the pair went on a group pilgrimage.

A Facebook page had emerged in recent weeks showing support for Fr Dallat and there have been a number of vigils at the Cathedral supporting him too.

In his statement he says: “In acknowledgement of and in an effort to repair the damage and hurt that I have caused, I will undertake over the coming months a directed retreat, spiritual guidance and counselling.

“My sincere hope is that with this support I will be able to resume the exercise of priestly ministry.

“I am immensely grateful for the many messages of support from parishioners and others and I ask for your continued prayers and for forgiveness.”