Cathal Barry“Some will accept the situation but others may feel angry with their parents for not telling them the truth.”
The Church here is now providing free counselling for children of priests struggling to come to terms with their identity.
The decision to provide counselling comes after extensive lobbying by newly formed organisation Coping International, which is seeking to support the children and former partners of priests around the world.
The counselling is being provided by Towards Healing, the counselling referral service for people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse in Ireland.
Leading psychiatrist Prof. Patricia Casey told The Irish Catholic that while this is not a “common” issue, more children of priests may come forward as a result of Coping International’s foundation.
Prof. Casey said she expects that somebody who was conceived by a priest would feel a “strong sense of estrangement and emptiness”.
“Those who knew the priest might get over it and adapt and be glad they had met their father so they could grasp their true identity, while others may be very angry or distressed about not knowing him,” she said.
The UCD and the Mater Hospital psychiatrist insisted it was “vitally important” that “some therapy service” is provided for the children of priests “who feel they need it”.
“Some will accept the situation but others may feel angry with their parents for not telling them the truth.
“They need an outlet where that can be explored and ultimately move on towards physiological healing and adjustment,” she said.
Prof. Casey added that an organisation like Coping International was an “absolute must” to speak up on behalf of the children of priests.
“I support it unreservedly. The children of priests are in an unusual and rare situation and their specific needs have not been recognised to date.
“They do have needs and the idea behind Coping is an excellent one,” she said.