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	Priest to Take His Case to Tribunal Courier June 30, 2008 http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/06/30/newsstory11579145t0.asp A senior Dundee priest who was sacked after allegedly having an 18-year affair with a married woman is suing the Catholic Church for unfair dismissal. Joseph Creegan, monsignor and former parish priest of St Peter and Paul's Church, was stripped of his clerical duties in January by Bishop Vincent Logan of Dunkeld after the woman it was claimed was his long-term mistress gave "undeniable evidence" of the affair to the diocese. It has been revealed that he is now to claim for lost earnings through an employment tribunal in Dundee. His claim has been lodged and official documents show the case is due to be called today. However, it is understood church lawyers will seek a postponement to allow more time for discussions before the case eventually calls. Sources say the diocese may settle out of court to avoid further damaging claims about Mr Creegan's tenure with the Catholic Church in Dundee being aired in public. The mistress's claims emerged after details of his relationship with a second woman, Anne Marie Ogden, came to light earlier this year. A national Sunday newspaper alleged he had been involved in an affair with Ms Ogden while also conducting the long-term relationship with the 62-year-old woman. The former priest became close to 48-year-old Ms Ogden after she and her former husband went to him for guidance when their 23-year marriage began to break down. Mr Creegan has denied his relationship with Ms Ogden is anything but platonic—although they now share a joint mortgage on a ?300,000 house in Balmerino. Mr Creegan's case has parallels with that of Angus Church of Scotland minister Helen Percy, who was suspended from her post as an associate minister for Six Glen parishes in 1997 after being accused of having an affair with a married elder. She subsequently resigned and went to an employment tribunal, which ruled it could not hear her case because her employment was essentially spiritual and thus not covered by civil law. That decision was overturned in 2005 by Law Lords in London, prompting the Church of Scotland to settle the case for ?10,000. A spokeswoman for the diocese of Dunkeld said, "As proceedings have started, the diocese feels it is in- appropriate to comment at this time."
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