Bishop Ray Browne of Kerry issued a public apology after a priest delivered a fiery homily in a parish in Listowel, Ireland, condemning the advocacy of legal abortion and the “lunacy” of encouraging young people to change their sexual identity.

The bishop said that he recognized “the deep upset and hurt” caused by the homily given by a visiting priest, Father Sean Sheehy. “The views expressed do not represent the Catholic position,” Bishop Browne said.