Priest changes locks against his eviction

AN OUTSPOKEN priest, Father Matthew Despard, was suspended for alleging a culture of homosexual bullying within the Catholic Church in Scotland is facing legal action to remove him from the parish house.

Father Matthew Despard, who has been suspended since last November, is alleged to be refusing to leave at the presbytery house of St John Ogilvie, High Blantyre, Lanarkshire, having changed the locks.

He continues to live in the property against the will of the interim Bishop Of Motherwell Joseph Toal, leading to the start of court action against him.

Father Despard, who has also faced threats of civil action by fellow priests who believe they have been defamed in his book, Priesthood In Crisis, was due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week as part of the action but the matter did not progress.

Local residents started a petition to remove Father Despard's suspension, with more than 1300 signatures added in support of his return.

It is also claimed his main support is coming from a group of orthodox lay Catholics vehemently opposed to homosexuality within the church.

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