Fagley Parish Priest Charged with Sex Assault on Girl, 17

By Steve Wright
Telegraph & Argus
September 11, 2012

www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/local/localbrad/9920904.Fagley_parish_priest_charged_with_sex_assault_on_girl__17/

St Clare's RC Church in Fagley where Father Finnegan is the priest

A Roman Catholic priest in Bradford has been charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl.

Father William Finnegan, parish priest at St Clare's RC Church in Fagley , has appeared before magistrates and will face trial before a crown Court jury.

The 59-year-old priest was arrested in April this year in connection with the allegation and was bailed for further police inquiries.

Finnegan has now been charged with sexual assault and has appeared before Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court.

"A 59-year-old Bradford man was arrested last month in connection with the inquiry and has been bailed pending further inquiries. Investigations remain ongoing."

Yesterday a police spokesman confirmed: "Police have charged a man in connection with the offence. A 59-year-old Bradford man, who was arrested in April in connection with the inquiry, was bailed

to appear before Bradford magistrates."

Official court records show that William John Finnegan, 59, of Acacia Close, Castleford, has been charged that on April 8, 2012, at Bradford, he intentionally sexually touched a woman aged 16 or

over without her consent, contrary to section three of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Finnegan was granted bail by magistrates with conditions which include not entering St Clare's Church or Presbytery grounds.

A worker at the church said in May that Father Finnegan was "out of station" and the Diocese was providing priests to stand in at services.

A churchgoer said at the time: "We have been told he will be missing for a while, but we haven't been told why.

"We have got stand-in priests coming in to give services.

"It is a mystery but something strange seems to have happened. We have heard that he has been reported to the police and he is not allowed to carry out his duties while he is being investigated."

There was no response to a series of questions the T&A then e-mailed to the Diocese about Father Finnegan's absence, and the police investigation.

The Reverend Father William J Finnegan is still listed on the Diocese website as the parish priest for St Clare's.