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  Priest Runs Pub with Divorcee

By David Clegg
The Courier
February 25, 2008

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/02/25/newsstory10981584t0.asp

THE CATHOLIC Church in Dundee has been rocked once more after it emerged a priest who retired on health grounds is running a pub in Spain with a divorcee.

Father Eugene O'Sullivan, former parish priest of St Francis in Tullideph Road, confessed to a Sunday tabloid that he was also living with 41-year-old Fiona Aitken from Forfar—but denied they were having a sexual relationship.

The 61-year-old said he was in the process of leaving the priesthood and refused to rule out the possibility he would marry in the future.

He is staying in a £300,000 villa with Ms Aitken and running a bar in Benalmadena Pueblo, near Fuengirola.

Father O'Sullivan was a well-known and popular priest across the Diocese of Dunkeld.

He retired citing health reasons in 2006 after 34 years as a priest.

The revelations come just days after leading figures within the diocese became embroiled in a bitter row over revelations about the private life of senior priest Monsignor Joseph Creegan.

Earlier this month the church effectively sacked Mgr Creegan after allegations of an 18-year relationship with a married woman were published in a national newspaper.

Mgr Creegan subsequently issued a statement attacking Bishop Vincent Logan—the man who suspended him —but fell short of categorically denying the allegations.

Bishop Logan has since said he was "convinced" the relationship had taken place.

The allegations came to light after Mgr Creegan denied his relationship with another woman, Anne Ogden, was anything other than platonic, despite admitting assisting her in getting a mortgage and having his own room in her new home in Balmerino.

Mgr Creegan still lives in a riverside apartment owned by the church.

Speculation has been growing that the 66-year-old, who was priest at St Peter and Paul's Church in the city until his retirement last year, would be removed from the £200,000 flat as part of the diocese's review of the situation.

But a spokesperson for the Diocese of Dunkeld said last night no decision on the question of accommodation had been made.

On the issue of Father O'Sullivan, the spokesperson said, "Bishop Logan was not aware until very recently that Eugene owned property in Spain and divided his time between Ireland and Spain or that he was involved in any relationship.

"Eugene asks that his privacy is respected now that he has started a new chapter in his life."

 
 

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