By Lee Moran
This is Kent
April 24, 2011
http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/news/Child-sex-charge-priest-dead/article-3476034-detail/article.html
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| Monsignor Michael Smith was found dead at a house in Snodland |
A CATHOLIC priest from Tonbridge at the centre of a child sex allegation has been found dead.
The body of Monsignor Michael Smith, 63, parish priest at Corpus Christi for 19 years, was discovered at a house in Snodland on Sunday evening.
Police refused to confirm suggestions he had died of a drugs overdose, but stressed his death was not suspicious.
Monsignor Smith, who was also responsible for St Peter's Chapel in Hadlow, was arrested on December 7 last year on suspicion of sexual assault "concerning a young person" and immediately stood down from his post at the Lyons Crescent church.
Kent Police said this week the investigation into the alleged crime was still ongoing.
Det Insp Rob Chitham said: "Inquiries are continuing with a number of people who have spoken to detectives in connection with the investigation.
"His death is not being treated as suspicious and the coroner's office has been informed."
A member of the Corpus Christi congregation, whom we agreed not to name, told the Courier that Monsignor Smith had been "hounded" by several websites which "unhelpfully speculated" about the allegations.
The source said: "This is a very sad affair. There's been some very unpleasant things written about him on Facebook and sites such as TonbridgeBlog.
"Innocent or guilty, these things would not have helped with his right to a fair trial.
"Someone told him about what was written, he looked them up, and let's just say it did not help."
The Archdiocese of Southwark said it was with "great sadness" it had learnt of his death.
Father Philip Glandfield, private secretary to the Archbishop at Southwark, said: "Our hearts go out to his mother and family, and the parishioners of Corpus Christi parish whom he served for the past 19 years.
"We are waiting for the post-mortem examination to determine the cause of his death and funeral arrangements will be published in due course.
"In the meanwhile we ask for prayers for the repose of his soul, and for his family and the parishioners of Corpus Christi parish."
The archdiocese refused to comment on the allegation against Monsignor Smith.
Monsignor Smith was inducted as the parish priest of Corpus Christi in September 1992, after serving as private secretary to Archbishop Michael Bowen of Southwark for ten years.
He was ordained as a priest in 1977 and became Monsignor in 1988.
Father Tom McElhone, who was drafted in as the parish administrator in Monsignor Smith's absence, remains in temporary charge of the church.
Contact: lmoran@courier.co.uk
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