The Catholic priest who "inadvertently" showed pornographic photos during a First Holy Communion presentation has left the parish in Pomeroy, County Tyrone.
Father Martin McVeigh projected 16 images onto a screen during a meeting for parents in preparation for First Holy Communion on March 26.
One child was present.
The priest said he had no knowledge of the offending imagery which were contained on a memory stick.
The incident occurred during a meeting at St. Mary's School in Pomeroy. In a statement the priest said the last month had been "the most difficult of my life".
"I deeply regret my failure to check, in advance, my presentation," he added.
"In my shock and upset and in my concern to ensure that the images would never be shown again, I destroyed it later that evening," he added.
Fr. McVeigh said he was unaware of the images on the memory stick.
"I apologize unreservedly for the hurt caused," he said. "I want to assure you however, that I was not responsible for the presence of the offending images and in this respect I ask you to accept my innocence."
Cardinal Seán Brady said he had agreed to the request for leave on the understanding that Fr. McVeigh would return to the diocese.
Cardinal Brady also explained that there had been an investigation into the computers used by Fr. McVeigh.
"These have been forensically examined by an independent technical expert and no inappropriate imagery has been found," he said.
"However, an additional laptop, which was located in the sacristy, was stolen in the period following the 26 March meeting with parents.
"This stolen laptop did not form part the technical examination and its theft was reported to the PSNI."
