Father TikTok

A priest has been placed on indefinite leave after posting videos on social media that featured seedy innuendo and joked about playing songs like Highway to Hell at a funeral Mass.

In a statement to be read to parishioners in Gort, Co Galway Bishop Brendan Kelly refers to “upsetting information” regarding 44-year-old curate, Fr Michael King.

He confirms that the priest is “on indefinite leave from all duties” and will be absent from the parish “for the foreseeable future”.

from the Daily Mirror

https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/priest-who-posted-topless-tiktok-25279320

Anyone see the videos? This guy was only ordained in the last 6 years- used to be a barman and actor. It’s a ripe story for AH- surprised it’s not posted already- things must be bad around these parts.

Hande hoche!

To be fair TikTok is an unholy abomination .

Ger Roe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118061286#Comment_118061286

Too true, but in this case it may have done society a favour in ultimately removing him from his parish duties. I wonder will there by any further follow up? His behaviour would seem to be quite disturbing and worrying.

Oranage2

People in the public view have to act professional, what they like do to in their own free time is their own business but for the love all things holy, don't make a tik tok out of it.

gifted

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118061469#Comment_118061469

Society a favour? Why? Cos he talks of sex and drink....he's human.....its the bastards who got and is still getting away with abusing the kids who are a danger to society .....pity the people in charge didn't kick out the pedophiles when they had the chance

Ger Roe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118061472#Comment_118061472

I am afraid there some people who can not be allowed to 'do what they like in their free time'. Previous experience with priests has shown us that very clearly. Disturbing behaviour is just that .... no matter whether the person is doing so in their free time, or not. Some of the views and behaviours expressed by this guy, would ring alarm bells in any public or private context.

Oranage2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118061494#Comment_118061494

I didn't see it I don't have tik tok, I though it was something less sinister like doing a stupid dance

It’s probably most heartbreaking and the most impactful for the faithful of his parish. For those few who continue to support the church they must feel very betrayed in those parishes. A lot of people volunteer to keep their church going and to support over worked priests- it’s them I feel sorry for.

AckwelFoley

I'm not on tiktok but from what I read the dick head was aiming for edgy but completely overshot it and landed into a pile of cringe that smells like onions and piss

Psychlops

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118061776#Comment_118061776

Lol over worked Priests. Mass must be awful draining.

SouthWesterly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118064135#Comment_118064135

I was chatting to the parish priest over lunch at my mother's funeral. He was diabetic and 3pm was the first opportunity he had to eat since breakfast.

He was in his 70s and had said early morning Mass and done 4 funerals by lunchtime. I often saw him locking the church gates at 10pm.

You try doing a 16 hour day and let me know how you get on.

The One Doctor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118064135#Comment_118064135

Dumbass. Priests work hard whether you believe in God or not.

In another clip, the priest laughed and performed a lip-sync captioned, “Me in charge of a funeral playlist”, which featured snippets from Queen songs including Another One Bites the Dust, the BeeGee’s Staying Alive, and You’ll Never See Me Again.

In fairness, from the funeral video it sounds like he enjoys a bit of dark humour.

pgj2015

You would have to worry about anyone who wants to become a priest in this day and age. regardless of doing unfunny videos on tiktok.

I'd be far more concerned about a 40 year old man going on tiktok..

Some people just have a spiritual calling..

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118065741#Comment_118065741

Worry about what? Is it any worse than wanting to be a guard or a teacher?

AckwelFoley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118065813#Comment_118065813

They're not even comparable. Trying to is disingenuous

StupidLikeAFox

He should have molested a few people, they would have just moved him to a different parish

..

Galwayguy35

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118065741#Comment_118065741

Why?

If its what they want to do its no skin off your nose is it?

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118065892#Comment_118065892

Was thinking that , they dealt with this one swiftly enough

Loafing Oaf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058214392/father-tiktok

the priest is “on indefinite leave from all duties” and will be absent from the parish “for the foreseeable future”.

I'd say the clock is tiktoking on his clerical career...

pgj2015

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118065902#Comment_118065902

come on, its a mad career path to go down in 2021.

TheValeyard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118066130#Comment_118066130

So is Gender studies yet people do it.

To each their own.

Psychlops

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118066130#Comment_118066130

But its not a career its supposed to be a "calling".

blade1

It would be an ecumenical matter.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118061286#Comment_118061286

attaboy keep the AH spirit alive 😂

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118068793#Comment_118068793

he showed his true colours in the videos - you’d think if someone in their 30s decides to join the priesthood it’s because he’s lived some life gained some experience and knows where he wants to be- this guy is obviously still incredibly immature and you have to question his motives in the first place.

I don’t care if someone wants to be a priest- but I don’t believe this guy is just suddenly been “swayed by the devil” -

spakman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118069679#Comment_118069679

But you have to go through years in the seminary don't you? and I presume there's form of examination of your scripture knowledge?

Who would put themselves through that for the craic, or a bit of pocket money. Be much easier to go on the dole.

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118069687#Comment_118069687

A degree in theology and teacher training I guess

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118069714#Comment_118069714

If he does have a h dip no school in Ireland will take him with those videos out there

Jequ0n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118066130#Comment_118066130

Not really. He just chose to perform his acting skills in front of a different audience.

Sounds like he upset the traditionalists in the church.

Hotblack Desiato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118069732#Comment_118069732

Problem for him is they're the only people who are left.

This guy is definitely an oulier though, the remainder of the handful of men who join the priesthood these days appear to be the sort who think John Charles McQuaid was a screaming liberal.

Ash.J.Williams

I’ve only seen the highway to hell vid and was harmless, he does look like someone untrustworthy though

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118070730#Comment_118070730

I've seen a lot of what a legal person would call "hearsay" online on a particular website, - so I won't post. If true then i can see why the Bishop said to "pray for him"- I'm probably changing my view of him somewhat with a degree of compassion with this information but I don't see how he got through 5 years of seminary training.

WS

I was speaking to this Fr Michael in May of this year and on occassions before that .This is uncharacteristic behaviour from him imo.I would say that he has had some type of breakdown. Recently he was given extra responsiblities.Hopefully he is getting the appropriate treatment with some understanding and is on his way to recovery .Only found out today as I had been away.

Ubbquittious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058214392/father-tiktok

Misread as "Bishop Brennan"

TXPTGR1

Lads in their 30’s and 40’s desperately looking for attention on tik Tok is way weirder than someone going into priesthood tbf

should be put on some kind of Garda watchlist - though then loads of guards would be on it too with their stupid dances when on duty

why can’t people be professional any more?

Quantum Erasure

He's no Fr. Trendy...

LillySV

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118099755#Comment_118099755

I’d say it’s a breakdown too… u can see it in his face and actions … a lonely job I’d say … hope he gets better and on the right track

lots of people go to priests looking for help and support at a time when we need it … I hope people will be kind enough to show it back to him at this time of need too

Hotblack Desiato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118070966#Comment_118070966

I've seen a lot of what a legal person would call "hearsay" online on a particular website, - so I won't post.

"I know something, but I won't tell you what, or even where I saw it"

Why bother posting?