Parishioners Kept in Dark As Priest Is Suspended Amid Historic Sex Abuse Allegations

By Kenny Smith
Daily Record
October 9, 2014

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/parishioners-kept-dark-priest-suspended-4404825

Father Paul Morton

A PRIEST has been suspended amid claims of sex abuse.

Father Paul Morton’s flock were mystified when he didn’t turn up for Mass. Police have now confirmed they are investigating allegations of historic abuse.

The congregation at St Bride’s RC Church in Cambuslang, near Glasgow, were asked to pray for

their parish priest on Sunday – but they were given no explanation about his absence.

Subsequent calls to the Scottish Catholic media office went unanswered.

But we can reveal Morton, 54, has been asked to step down.

Yesterday, a spokesman for the Diocese of Motherwell said: “As a result of an ongoing police inquiry, Father Paul Morton has been asked to take administrative leave from parish ministry for an unspecified period of time.

“Fr Morton has agreed to this and will not be living in the parish house or undertaking any public ministry.”

A police spokesman said: “We can confirm we have received a report in connection with historical sexual abuse allegations and the matter is being investigated.”

Morton has been at St Bride’s for 14 years and he is popular with parishioners.

Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Toal took Mass at St Bride’s instead of the priest on Sunday.

Parishioners contacted our sister paper the Rutherglen Reformer to see if they could shed any light on Morton’s absence.

One church-goer said they had been told only that Morton “has been asked to step down”.

Another said: “The bishop took Mass on Sunday and said to pray for him but did not give a reason why. He said he would be away for a while.”

A third parishioner added: “Father Morton is a so popular and beloved by everyone in the church.

“We’ve not been told anything about what’s happening.”

On Monday, the St Bride’s Children and Youth Cambuslang group posted on their Facebook page: “Rosary and prayers tonight at 7pm in the Chapel for Fr Morton. All welcome. If you can’t make it along, please remember Father in prayer at this time.”

Morton was ordained into the priesthood at St Leonards in East Kilbride in June 1985. He moved to St Bride’s in 2000.

He previously took a sabbatical from St Bride’s. But parishioners missed him so much that they started a petition which was sent to the Bishop of Motherwell, requesting that Morton return to St Bride’s after his break.

Morton has taken part in a number of fundraising activities, including a bungee jump and motorbike racing, over the years.

Father James O’Kane will act as administrator of St Bride’s while Morton is away.