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Raised in the Fermanagh village of Bellanaleck amid story-tellers, yarns and football, Brian D’Arcy never dreamed he would become a priest until a meeting with a Passionist at The Graan Monastery set him on the road to priesthood against his parent’s wishes.
Now, as he celebrates 50 years as a priest, Father Brian reflects on a long career of faith, fame and controversy.
As he revisits the village of his childhood, the monastery that would become home for most of his vocation and the shores of his beloved Lough Erne, Father Brian recalls his journey towards faith, his love of music which in turn led to a life of show-business and a career in broadcasting – and the dark shadow that has haunted his whole life, the sexual abuse he suffered as a child and as a young man.
Father Brian also explains why he has never been afraid to speak out on issues he cares passionately about. Priests’ celibacy, contraception, the role of women, the churches handling of child sex abuse scandals - Father Brian has spoken out about all of them and faced criticism and censure from the Vatican as a result, at times leading him to consider his vocation.
50 years on how does Father Brian feel about his faith, the future of the Church and his own future?