‘celibate’ Catholic Priest: I Can’t Be a Sex Attacker, I’ve Been Married 13 Years

By Aidan Radnedge
The Metro
March 14, 2013

http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/14/celibate-catholic-priest-i-cant-be-a-sex-attacker-ive-been-married-13-years-3543548/

Catholic priest William Finnegan claims he broke his vow of celibacy after falling in love with a divorced mother- of-two (Picture: Ben Lack)

A Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl revealed in court he had been secretly married for more than a decade.

William Finnegan claims he could not have attacked the 17-year-old because he was enjoying a healthy sex life with his wife – in flagrant disregard of his vow of celibacy.

The 59-year-old says he kept his marriage a secret from his superiors but accepts he will now be thrown out of the church and lose his livelihood even if found not guilty.

His lawyer told the court the priest married Beverley Dawson overseas in September 1999.

Jeremy Hill-Baker said: ‘So deeply in love was he that he was prepared to ignore the Catholic Church’s ban on marriage, a secret which has been kept from almost everyone until now.’

After making the revelation, the lawyer repeated to the court: ‘No, you didn’t mis-hear me.’

Finnegan, from Fagley, Bradford, is accused of touching the girl’s bottom and forcefully kissing her last Easter.

The priest, known to parishioners as Father Bill, met divorcee Mrs Dawson when she attended his former church in Castleford, west Yorkshire.

They married in a civil ceremony on the Greek island of Corfu but told only close friends and family.

Mr Hill-Baker said it showed the priest was not sexually frustrated, telling jurors: ‘Far from being celibate, they enjoyed a full and active sex life.

‘Whatever the outcome of this case, his ministry as a Catholic priest is well and truly over.’

Judge Roger Thomas gave Finnegan the chance to clarify his marital status, asking: ‘Your public announcement of this today is news to everyone?’ Finnegan declared: ‘It is and I will be dealt with.’

He told the jury he had not assaulted his accuser, adding: ‘She tiptoed towards me, placed her hands on my waist and kissed me on the lips. I said, that’s not to happen. I’m afraid I used quite a lot of force.’

Mother-of-two Mrs Dawson told the court the married couple did not live together but saw each other and went on holiday regularly. The trial at Bradford crown court continues.