By Matt Wilkinson
Oxford Mail [United Kingdom]
March 28, 2007
http://www.oxfordmail.net/display.var.1289969.0.nightmare_is_finally_over.php
A vicar cleared of sexually molesting a boy has spoken of his "incredible relief" after walking free from court.
Father Michael Wright, vicar at St Barnabas Church, in Jericho, Oxford, said yesterday his life had been turned into a nightmare after being accused of being a paedophile.
The 69-year-old arrived home at the vicarage last night after he was acquitted at London's Blackfriars Crown Court of six counts of serious sexual offences and six charges of indecent assault.
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| Father Michael Wright |
He said: "It's been a nightmare. As you can imagine, I haven't touched the ground.
"It is a marvellous feeling to be acquitted of all counts. I just feel incredible relief.
"The man who made these allegations is a very, very troubled man. I've got to come to learn to forgive him, but I hope he gets the help that he needs."
The congregation held prayers at St Barnabas Church during the trial and about 10 supporters travelled to London to hear the verdict yesterday.
The trial heard Father Wright was homosexual, but after the verdict, he said he hoped the congregation in Jericho would not feel prejudiced towards him.
He hoped to be back at work today but will go ahead with plans to retire in a month.
"I want to go back to work tomorrow," he said.
"I have Holy Week and Easter and it is a month until I retire so I can go on holiday then.
"I was cheated out of Christmas, but my understanding is the suspension has been lifted and I can go back to work.
"I have had fantastic support from the congregation, people living in Jericho and friends. It's been a marvellous support and I am very grateful. It is a happy way to leave. I have been vindicated."
During the trial, the court was told Father Wright, who has been at St Barnabas Church since 1980, was homosexual and had a gay lover.
He said: "There are a lot of intelligent people around here in Oxford, so I think people may have known already.
"I hope no-one will treat me any differently. It is not something that one shouts from the rooftops.
"I can't say what people's attitudes will be, but most people are sensible and mature about things these days."
The allegations of sexual abuse were made by a man, now aged 44, who claimed Father Wright molested him when he was an 11-year-old helper at a church in Lewisham during the 1970s.
The jury took less than two hours to reach a not guilty verdict on all 12 counts.
Last year, Father Tony Hogg, of West Hanney, was cleared of sexually molesting a street boy in South Africa. He said of Father Wright: "I am delighted justice has prevailed. He will get on with his life surrounded by all the people who believed in him. I know how he will be feeling - he will feel a great burden has been lifted and his innocence has been proven."
John Temple, a member of Father Wright's congregation, said: "He is a very saintly man, and I think that it's absolutely outrageous that one man has been able to put him through this ordeal."
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