A Catholic priest made a bizarre comment about Jesus Christ but somehow managed to save his job.

According to the British paper The Times, Father Thomas McHale claimed that the son of God had an erection when he died. He reportedly made the remark while addressing a congregation of worshippers and believers in the United Kingdom.

Father Thomas McHale, who is an American, had to undergo an investigation after he delivered the controversial sermon during Easter weekend which left nearly 100 parishioners at Our Blessed Lady Immaculate in County Durham shocked, reported&nbsp;The Times.

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“He told people Jesus died with an erection,” said a churchgoer, while speaking to the news outlet. “The church was shocked. There were young families there," he added.

<h2>Priest blames violent execution method for erection&nbsp;</h2>

The 53-year-old reverend, during the sermon, explained that the death of Jesus Christ is likely to have occurred because of an erection which may have been triggered by the violent execution method subjected to him.&nbsp;

He allegedly said that when Christ was hung on the crucifix, blood would have rushed to his lower body and led to the erection.

As per some studies, post-mortem erections are commonly found in corpses of men who have died because of hanging or other forms of suffocation, like crucifixion.

Although it remains a mystery if Jesus went through the same human response, the diocese of Hexham &amp; Newcastle called the speculation inappropriate for Easter services.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Pope Francis apologizes after homophobic slur

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“A complaint was received and has been investigated in keeping with our diocesan complaints policy. The investigation has been very recently completed and the complaint is upheld,” said a spokesperson for the diocese, while speaking to The Times.

“Father McHale has accepted that his words were inappropriate and has apologised. He remains in post as parish priest," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Catholic priest made a bizarre comment about Jesus Christ but somehow managed to save his job. According to the British paper The Times, Father Thomas McHale claimed that the son of God had an erection when he died.

A Catholic priest made a bizarre comment about Jesus Christ but somehow managed to save his job. According to the British paper The Times, Father Thomas McHale claimed that the son of God had an erection when he died. He reportedly made the remark while addressing a congregation of worshippers and believers in the United Kingdom. Father Thomas McHale, who is an American, had to undergo an investigation after he delivered the controversial sermon during Easter weekend which left nearly 100 parishioners at Our Blessed Lady Immaculate in County Durham shocked, reported The Times. Also Read: Florida priest accused of biting woman in church during mass. Here’s what happened “He told people Jesus died with an erection,” said a churchgoer, while speaking to the news outlet. “The church was shocked. There were young families there," he added. Priest blames violent execution method for erection The 53-year-old reverend, during the sermon, explained that the death of Jesus Christ is likely to have occurred because of an erection which may have been triggered by the violent execution method subjected to him. He allegedly said that when Christ was hung on the crucifix, blood would have rushed to his lower body and led to the erection. As per some studies, post-mortem erections are commonly found in corpses of men who have died because of hanging or other forms of suffocation, like crucifixion. Although it remains a mystery if Jesus went through the same human response, the diocese of Hexham & Newcastle called the speculation inappropriate for Easter services. Watch: Gravitas: Pope Francis apologizes after homophobic slur “A complaint was received and has been investigated in keeping with our diocesan complaints policy. The investigation has been very recently completed and the complaint is upheld,” said a spokesperson for the diocese, while speaking to The Times. “Father McHale has accepted that his words were inappropriate and has apologised. He remains in post as parish priest," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/francis-pope-discusses-ethics-of-artificial-intelligence-with-microsoft-chief-brad-smith-197242">The Vatican</a> on Monday reaffirmed Catholic teaching that priests cannot reveal what they learn in confession, in an apparent response to moves in Australia and elsewhere to force them to do so in cases of sexual abuse.

A document from the Vatican's Apostolic Penitentiary, which deals with issues of the sacrament of confession, said no government or law could force clergy to violate the seal "because this duty comes directly from God."

The document, which did not mention any countries or the sexual abuse crisis, complained of a "worrying negative prejudice against the Catholic Church".

Most countries' legal systems respect the religious right of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/catholic-priests-burn-harry-potter-books-in-poland-207284">Catholic priest</a> not to reveal what he has learned in confession, similar to attorney-client privilege.

But the sexual abuse crisis that has embroiled the Catholic Church around the world has seen this right challenged more frequently.

In Australia, an inquiry into child abuse recommended that the country introduce a law forcing religious leaders to report child abuse, including priests told of it during confession.

So far, two of Australia's eight states have introduced laws making it a crime for priests to withhold information about abuse heard in confession. Others are still considering their response.

In May, the California state Senate passed a bill to require the seal of confession to be broken if priests learn of or suspect sexual abuse while hearing the confession of a fellow priest or a colleague such as a Church worker.

Church leaders in both the United States and Australia have opposed such laws and the document backed them up unequivocally.

"Any political action or legislative initiative aimed at breaking the inviolability of the sacramental seal would constitute an unacceptable offence against the (freedom of the Church)," the document said.

"(The Church) does not receive its legitimacy from individual States, but from God; it (breaking the seal) would also constitute a violation of religious freedom, legally fundamental to all other freedoms, including the freedom of conscience of individual citizens, both penitents and confessors," it said.

The document said a priest could not demand that a penitent turn himself or herself into authorities as a condition for receiving absolution from their sins.

The penitent also cannot free a priest from his obligation to respect the seal of confession, it said.

The Vatican on Monday reaffirmed Catholic teaching that priests cannot reveal what they learn in confession, in an apparent response to moves in Australia and elsewhere to force them to do so in cases of sexual abuse.

The Vatican on Monday reaffirmed Catholic teaching that priests cannot reveal what they learn in confession, in an apparent response to moves in Australia and elsewhere to force them to do so in cases of sexual abuse. A document from the Vatican's Apostolic Penitentiary, which deals with issues of the sacrament of confession, said no government or law could force clergy to violate the seal "because this duty comes directly from God." The document, which did not mention any countries or the sexual abuse crisis, complained of a "worrying negative prejudice against the Catholic Church". Most countries' legal systems respect the religious right of a Catholic priest not to reveal what he has learned in confession, similar to attorney-client privilege. But the sexual abuse crisis that has embroiled the Catholic Church around the world has seen this right challenged more frequently. In Australia, an inquiry into child abuse recommended that the country introduce a law forcing religious leaders to report child abuse, including priests told of it during confession. So far, two of Australia's eight states have introduced laws making it a crime for priests to withhold information about abuse heard in confession. Others are still considering their response. In May, the California state Senate passed a bill to require the seal of confession to be broken if priests learn of or suspect sexual abuse while hearing the confession of a fellow priest or a colleague such as a Church worker. Church leaders in both the United States and Australia have opposed such laws and the document backed them up unequivocally. "Any political action or legislative initiative aimed at breaking the inviolability of the sacramental seal would constitute an unacceptable offence against the (freedom of the Church)," the document said. "(The Church) does not receive its legitimacy from individual States, but from God; it (breaking the seal) would also constitute a violation of religious freedom, legally fundamental to all other freedoms, including the freedom of conscience of individual citizens, both penitents and confessors," it said. The document said a priest could not demand that a penitent turn himself or herself into authorities as a condition for receiving absolution from their sins. The penitent also cannot free a priest from his obligation to respect the seal of confession, it said.

Vatican says laws cannot force priests to break seal of confession

A Catholic priest has disappeared in Bangladesh, police said&nbsp;Wednesday, a day before Pope Francis starts a landmark visit to the Muslim-majority nation wracked by Islamist extremism.

Walter William Rosario, 40, is from the same village in northern Bangladesh where suspected Islamist extremists last year hacked a Catholic grocer to death as he opened his shop.

A major search has been launched for Rosario, who is also headmaster of a Catholic school in Natore district, after his family reported him missing, police said.

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<h5>Pope Francis arrives in Bangladesh&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;on the first visit to the country by the head of the Catholic Church in 31 years</h5>
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&quot;He has been missing since late&nbsp;Monday. His mobile has been switched off,&quot; local police chief Biplob Bijoy Talukder told AFP.

Gerves Rosario, the bishop of the nearby city of Rajshahi, said he believed the priest had been kidnapped and that Catholics in the region were deeply worried.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pope-francis-meets-aung-san-suu-kyi-as-rohingya-crisis-simmers-25346" target="_blank">Also read: Pope Francis meets Aung San Suu Kyi, avoids using the term &#39;Rohingya&#39;</a>

&quot;He was organising for around 300 Catholics to travel to Dhaka to see the Pope and attend his holy mass. But his disappearance has marred their joy. They don&#39;t want to go to Dhaka anymore,&quot; said the bishop.

The family received a phone call from someone using Rosario&#39;s number to demand a ransom, but Talukder said police believed this was a hoax.

They have not ruled out the possibility he was abducted by Islamist extremists, who have carried out attacks on religious minorities in the region in the past four years.

Pope Francis arrives in Bangladesh&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;on the first visit to the country by the head of the Catholic Church in 31 years.

The trip will be dominated by the plight of more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled ethnic unrest in Myanmar and taken refuge in Bangladesh.

Christians, who make up less than 0.5 percent of Bangladesh&#39;s 160 million people, have in recent years faced attacks by Islamist radicals.

Since 2015 at least three Christians, including two converts from Islam, have been hacked to death in attacks blamed on the militant Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

In July last year militants from the same group stormed a Dhaka cafe and massacred 22 hostages including 18 foreigners in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

However, the government has denied the international militants&#39; involvement and security forces have killed more than 70 alleged militants since the cafe attack.

Walter William Rosario, 40, is from the same village in northern Bangladesh where suspected Islamist extremists last year hacked a Catholic grocer to death

A Catholic priest has disappeared in Bangladesh, police said Wednesday, a day before Pope Francis starts a landmark visit to the Muslim-majority nation wracked by Islamist extremism. Walter William Rosario, 40, is from the same village in northern Bangladesh where suspected Islamist extremists last year hacked a Catholic grocer to death as he opened his shop. A major search has been launched for Rosario, who is also headmaster of a Catholic school in Natore district, after his family reported him missing, police said. Pope Francis arrives in Bangladesh Thursday on the first visit to the country by the head of the Catholic Church in 31 years × "He has been missing since late Monday. His mobile has been switched off," local police chief Biplob Bijoy Talukder told AFP. Gerves Rosario, the bishop of the nearby city of Rajshahi, said he believed the priest had been kidnapped and that Catholics in the region were deeply worried. Also read: Pope Francis meets Aung San Suu Kyi, avoids using the term 'Rohingya' "He was organising for around 300 Catholics to travel to Dhaka to see the Pope and attend his holy mass. But his disappearance has marred their joy. They don't want to go to Dhaka anymore," said the bishop. The family received a phone call from someone using Rosario's number to demand a ransom, but Talukder said police believed this was a hoax. They have not ruled out the possibility he was abducted by Islamist extremists, who have carried out attacks on religious minorities in the region in the past four years. Pope Francis arrives in Bangladesh Thursday on the first visit to the country by the head of the Catholic Church in 31 years. The trip will be dominated by the plight of more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled ethnic unrest in Myanmar and taken refuge in Bangladesh. Christians, who make up less than 0.5 percent of Bangladesh's 160 million people, have in recent years faced attacks by Islamist radicals. Since 2015 at least three Christians, including two converts from Islam, have been hacked to death in attacks blamed on the militant Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). In July last year militants from the same group stormed a Dhaka cafe and massacred 22 hostages including 18 foreigners in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. However, the government has denied the international militants' involvement and security forces have killed more than 70 alleged militants since the cafe attack.

Catholic priest disappears in Bangladesh before Pope's visit

A Catholic priest has disappeared in Bangladesh, police said Wednesday, as the Muslim-majority country stepped up security ahead of a landmark visit by Pope Francis that follows a rise in Islamist attacks on religious minorities.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catholic-priest-disappears-in-bangladesh-before-pope-visit-25418">Walter William Rosario, a 40-year-old priest and headmaster of a Catholic school, went missing on Monday</a> in a village in northern Bangladesh where suspected Islamist extremists last year hacked a Catholic grocer to death.

Gerves Rosario, bishop of the nearby city of Rajshahi, said he believed the priest had been kidnapped and that Catholics in the region were deeply worried.

&quot;He was organising for around 300 Catholics to travel to Dhaka to see the Pope and attend his holy mass. But his disappearance has marred their joy. They don&#39;t want to go to Dhaka any more,&quot; he said.

News of his disappearance comes as Bangladesh tightens security in the capital Dhaka ahead of the arrival Thursday of the first pontiff to visit Bangladesh in more than three decades.

Police in Natore district said they had launched a major search for Rosario after his family reported him missing.

&quot;He has been missing since late Monday. His mobile has been switched off,&quot; local police chief Biplob Bijoy Talukder told AFP.

The family received a phone call from someone using the missing man&#39;s number to demand a ransom, but Talukder said police believed this was a hoax.

They have not ruled out the possibility he was abducted by Islamist extremists, who have carried out attacks on religious minorities in the region in the past four years.

&#39;Our joy is gone&#39;&nbsp;

Since 2015 at least three Christians, including two converts from Islam, have been hacked to death in attacks blamed on the militant Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

Bikash Hubert Rebeiro, the priest in Bonpara village where Rosario grew up, described him as a &quot;good man&quot; whose disappearance had cast a pall over the pope&#39;s visit.

&quot;Our joy is gone,&quot; he told AFP by phone. &quot;Everyone in the village is shocked. His elderly mother has being crying non stop.&quot;

Rebeiro said Rosario&#39;s family was friendly with the relatives of Sunil Gomes, the Catholic grocer murdered outside his shop last year.

Christians make up less than 0.5 percent of Bangladesh&#39;s 160 million people and have for centuries lived in harmony alongside the Muslim majority. But community leaders say a rise in Islamist extremism has strained relations.

Bangladesh authorities have escalated security in Christian areas of Dhaka in recent days as tens of thousands descend on the capital for an open-air mass on Friday.&nbsp;

On Tuesday police said they had killed three suspected Islamist militants in a raid on a house where they found hand grenades, pistols and bomb-making materials.

&quot;The pope&rsquo;s visit is a matter of honour for us.&nbsp; We are organising the highest level of security for him,&quot; police spokeswoman Sahely Ferdous told AFP.

The three-day visit will be dominated by the plight of more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled ethnic unrest in Myanmar and taken refuge in Bangladesh.

Their arrival has added to the huge challenges already facing the poor, overpopulated country, which has seen a substantial rise in Islamist extremism in recent years.

In July last year Islamist militants stormed a Dhaka cafe and massacred 22 hostages including 18 foreigners in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

The government has denied the international group&#39;s involvement. Since the attack, security forces have killed more than 70 alleged militants in a crackdown condemned by rights activists and opposition parties.

A Catholic priest has disappeared in Bangladesh, police said Wednesday, as the Muslim-majority country stepped up security ahead of a landmark visit by Pope Francis that follows a rise in Islamist attacks on religious minorities

A Catholic priest has disappeared in Bangladesh, police said Wednesday, as the Muslim-majority country stepped up security ahead of a landmark visit by Pope Francis that follows a rise in Islamist attacks on religious minorities. Walter William Rosario, a 40-year-old priest and headmaster of a Catholic school, went missing on Monday in a village in northern Bangladesh where suspected Islamist extremists last year hacked a Catholic grocer to death. Gerves Rosario, bishop of the nearby city of Rajshahi, said he believed the priest had been kidnapped and that Catholics in the region were deeply worried. "He was organising for around 300 Catholics to travel to Dhaka to see the Pope and attend his holy mass. But his disappearance has marred their joy. They don't want to go to Dhaka any more," he said. News of his disappearance comes as Bangladesh tightens security in the capital Dhaka ahead of the arrival Thursday of the first pontiff to visit Bangladesh in more than three decades. Police in Natore district said they had launched a major search for Rosario after his family reported him missing. "He has been missing since late Monday. His mobile has been switched off," local police chief Biplob Bijoy Talukder told AFP. The family received a phone call from someone using the missing man's number to demand a ransom, but Talukder said police believed this was a hoax. They have not ruled out the possibility he was abducted by Islamist extremists, who have carried out attacks on religious minorities in the region in the past four years. 'Our joy is gone' Since 2015 at least three Christians, including two converts from Islam, have been hacked to death in attacks blamed on the militant Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Bikash Hubert Rebeiro, the priest in Bonpara village where Rosario grew up, described him as a "good man" whose disappearance had cast a pall over the pope's visit. "Our joy is gone," he told AFP by phone. "Everyone in the village is shocked. His elderly mother has being crying non stop." Rebeiro said Rosario's family was friendly with the relatives of Sunil Gomes, the Catholic grocer murdered outside his shop last year. Christians make up less than 0.5 percent of Bangladesh's 160 million people and have for centuries lived in harmony alongside the Muslim majority. But community leaders say a rise in Islamist extremism has strained relations. Bangladesh authorities have escalated security in Christian areas of Dhaka in recent days as tens of thousands descend on the capital for an open-air mass on Friday. On Tuesday police said they had killed three suspected Islamist militants in a raid on a house where they found hand grenades, pistols and bomb-making materials. "The pope’s visit is a matter of honour for us. We are organising the highest level of security for him," police spokeswoman Sahely Ferdous told AFP. The three-day visit will be dominated by the plight of more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled ethnic unrest in Myanmar and taken refuge in Bangladesh. Their arrival has added to the huge challenges already facing the poor, overpopulated country, which has seen a substantial rise in Islamist extremism in recent years. In July last year Islamist militants stormed a Dhaka cafe and massacred 22 hostages including 18 foreigners in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. The government has denied the international group's involvement. Since the attack, security forces have killed more than 70 alleged militants in a crackdown condemned by rights activists and opposition parties.

Bangladesh priest disappears ahead of Pope's visit

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