By Riazat Butt
The Observer
June 7, 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/07/priest-vicarage-squatting-church-of-england
Two Church of England bishops have begun legal proceedings to evict a defrocked cleric who is squatting in one of their properties.
The Rev Patrick Okechi was barred from office last December when a tribunal found him guilty of "conduct unbecoming to the office and work of a clerk in holy orders", following an affair he had with a parishioner. Okechi has failed to leave the vicarage of the Church of the Good Shepherd with St John in West Bromwich, West Midlands, and has been squatting in the house for six months. He has refused to search for alternative accommodation and has lodged a claim for reinstatement.
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| The Reverend Patrick Okechi arrives at Leeds Crown Court where he was found guilty of conduct unbecoming a clergyman. Photograph: John Giles/PA Wire/Press Association Images |
His actions have forced the bishops of Lichfield and Wolverhampton to seek a court order to regain possession of the property, needed to house the new vicar, who takes up his post on 3 July. Neither bishop will be present at Tuesday's hearing.
A spokesman for the Lichfield diocese said: "Mr Okechi has been barred from holding the office of a priest in the Church of England for a period of 10 years, so he can't be reinstated to this or any other position. We are naturally sorry that we have to take legal action, but we have to consider the needs of the parish.
"The parishioners have been without a vicar since Mr Okechi was suspended in August 2006 and while an interim minister was appointed to assist the parish during this time, he has now moved on." It was essential for the diocese to appoint a new vicar so the parish could "put this sorry affair behind them and move forward", said the spokesman.
Okechi went with his mistress to funerals, took her shopping to buy church candles and drank wine with her in the vestry, the tribunal found. He turned up at her home one night wearing just a dressing gown and flip-flops after being locked out by his wife. The vicar, 46, denied adultery and insisted the woman was stalking him. However, Church of England investigators found that he had sent her romantic text messages and a letter typed using the same font as he used for hymn sheets.
Okechi was unavailable for comment but his wife said there had been no contact with the diocese for six months. "May God forgive them, they are making a scandal. We have not received an eviction notice. They are just bringing shame on this church."
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