A Bishop will today tell parishioners he is struggling to control a maverick priest he suspended.
Father Matthew Despard is refusing to accept the decision to expel him from his parish after making claims of sexual bullying within the Catholic Church.
And in a letter read at masses in the Motherwell Diocese today, Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell will appeal to the rebel cleric’s supporters to bring him into line.
The former parish priest of St John Ogilvie’s High Blantyre last year self-published a book, entitled Priesthood In Crisis, which alleged the Catholic Church in Scotland was dominated by a “powerful gay mafia”.
He also claimed sexual misconduct had been rife for decades within seminaries, where young priests are trained.
In his letter to parishioners, and referring to the suspension, Bishop Toal said: “Father Despard finds it difficult to accept this and indeed questions my authority to take any action in his regard.
“I have tried to carry out the responsibilities given to me, and continue to ask Father Despard to do what I have requested. I would ask those who continue to support him to prevail upon him to obey my instructions.”
The decision to suspend Father Despard has divided parishioners and almost 300 walked out of mass in protest.
One parishioner said: “It is unfortunate that Father Despard is refusing to accept the necessary process that his allegations require.
“It is disappointing that he continues to bring our church into the news for the wrong reasons.”
Sadie Polockus, 61, from Blantyre, said: “If the things he said happened in the book took place, I feel sorry for him. But I sincerely hope and pray he is removed completely from the church.”
His supporters claim to have 1,000 signatures on a petition to reinstate him.
Patricia McKeever, editor of the Catholic Truth, said: “We do not think Father Despard has done anything that requires suspension.
“It is very troubling that a priest can be suspended for writing about his experience of homosexuality within the Church in Scotland while other priests guilty of much more serious offences suffer no such disciplinary action.”
“It looks like the messenger is being shot, rather than a thorough investigation being conducted into his allegations.
“The Catholic faithful would prefer an investigation.”
Father Despard could not be contacted.
A spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland said: “Bishop Toal sent the letter to parishes to ask everyone to work together to resolve the situation.
“The issue has caused controversy and division in the diocese.”
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