Charge of Indecency Not Linked to School
By Cathie Bell
Blenheim's St Mary's School leaders have assured their community the charge former parish priest Aidan Kay is facing does not involve staff or students from the school or preschool attached to the church. The school sent a special newsletter to parents and caregivers yesterday with a copy of a letter from Archbishop John Dew announcing Kay's removal from his role as parish priest at the Catholic church in Blenheim. The letter was read by archdiocesan vicar-general Monsignor Gerry Burns at weekend masses last weekend. He told parishioners that Kay, who was parish priest since January last year, would not be returning to the parish. "During the week, the police formally charged him with an offence following a complaint made to police. "As a result, he has been removed from ministry." A police spokeswoman confirmed a 71-year-old Blenheim man was arrested on one charge of indecent assault on a male over 16 years of age. The accused's first court appearance would be today. Burns said arrangements would be made to ensure St Mary's had a priest available. The priests at St Mary's offer weekly masses at Seddon as well as the two in Blenheim, and regularly also take mass in Ward and Renwick. The parish priest is also involved with St Mary's school and preschool, next door to the church. Kay was on the school board of trustees. St Mary's School board of trustees chairwoman Jacinda Thompson and acting principal Louisa Linterman said in the newsletter that a charge of indecent assault on a person over 16 years of age had been laid. They could not comment further as the matter was before the courts. "Please be assured that the charge is not in any way linked to any student or staff member of St Mary's School, Blenheim, or St Mary's Preschool, Blenheim." They encouraged anyone with questions to contact Thompson or Burns at the parish presbytery. St Mary's parish council chairman Mark Jeffries declined to comment, referring inquiries to Dew. A spokeswoman for Dew, Simone Olsen, said Wellington-based Burns would stay on in Blenheim for the week, and Dew would be here at the weekend, to celebrate a long-arranged confirmation service. Associate parish priest Father Pat McIndoe would pick up parish duties "for the time being", she said. Parishioners had spoken to Burns after mass yesterday, Olsen said. "They thanked him for being here and offered prayerful support."
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