Bishop asks for priest's dismissal after sex offence plea

The Bishop of Derry has requested the Holy See to immediately remove a priest from his position following his guilty plea to 109 sex offences. Edward Gallagher, 59, who resides at Maghaberry Prison, admitted to charges including sexual communication with a child under 16 and possessing indecent images of a child. Gallagher is scheduled to be sentenced in December for offenses committed between June 2023 and April 2025.

Bishop Michael Router stated that while Gallagher was initially suspended from his priestly duties upon arrest, the church's standard process was paused to avoid interfering with the ongoing legal proceedings. However, with the criminal case advancing, the church no longer requires the suspension. The bishop emphasized his primary concern for the victims, particularly the children who suffered harm and those who continue to bear the consequences of abuse.

Bishop Router has instructed the documentation needed by the Holy See to be completed and sent promptly. His petition calls for the case to be handled with exceptional gravity, resulting in Gallagher's permanent dismissal from the clerical state through the expedited procedure outlined in church law. He highlighted that the priesthood is a "sacred trust," and this particular behavior demonstrates a "radical betrayal" of that trust, completely incompatible with the priestly ministry's obligations and responsibilities.

The church cannot erase the harm caused, nor can any canonical penalty alleviate the suffering endured by the victims and survivors. Nonetheless, the church is obligated to respond truthfully, justly, and decisively. The bishop reaffirmed the church's commitment to supporting those affected, upholding the highest safeguarding standards, and maintaining full cooperation with civil authorities.