Amidst the scandals currently surrounding the Catholic Church, a touching story emerges from Old Castle, County Meath, Ireland.

There, a parish priest named Fr. Ray Kelly recently auditioned for the popular British TV show *Britain’s Got Talent* (BGT), leaving a profound impact on everyone present.

At 64 years old, Fr. Kelly took the stage in 2014 for BGT, where Simon Cowell serves as the head judge. Upon his arrival, Fr. Kelly engaged the judges with humor and chose to perform R.E.M.’s classic, “Everybody Hurts.”

His heartfelt rendition earned him a standing ovation and rousing applause from both the judges and the audience. Fr. Kelly, who grew up in a musically inclined family, was pleasantly surprised by the judges’ praise. “I knew I could perform well, but I didn’t expect such glowing feedback,” he said.

Fr. Kelly had considered auditioning for BGT for a while but took his time to make the decision. Prior to the show, he gained internet fame for his rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at a wedding, which amassed over 10 million views on YouTube.

Simon Cowell praised Fr. Kelly’s audition, saying, “This is one of my favorite auditions ever. Your voice is beautiful, and your performance was exactly what we’ve been waiting for.”

What did you think of Fr. Kelly’s performance? Did you find it as moving as the judges did? Share your thoughts and favorite BGT moments in the comments, and don’t forget to share this story with friends and family!

Watch the video below.