Police Investigate Historic Claims against Cambuslang Priest

By Kenny Smith
Daily Record
October 9, 2014

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/police-investigate-historic-claims-against-4405430

Father Paul Morton from St Bride's Church

The priest at St Bride's in Cambuslang has been suspended from his duties after police launched an investigation into historic sexual abuse allegations.

Father Paul Morton (54), who has been at St Bride’s Church for the past 14 years, didn’t take Mass on Sunday, with the Bishop of Motherwell stepping in to conduct the service in his place.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Motherwell has confirmed has has stepped aside from his duties at the church, as a result of an investigation by Police Scotland.

He said: “As a result of an ongoing police inquiry, Fr Paul Morton, parish priest of St Bride’s, Cambuslang, 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. Fr James O’Kane, will act as administrator of St Bride’s during his absence.”

A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed: "We can confirm we have received a report in connection with historical sexual abuse allegations, and the matter is currently being investigated."

Concerned parishoners contacted the Rutherglen Reformer on Monday and Tuesday this week, asking to know what had happened to Fr Morton.

One parishoner contacted the Reformer to say they had only been told that he: “has been asked to step down”, and no other information had been forthcoming.

Another said: “The Bishop took Mass on Sunday and said to pray for him (Fr Morton) but did not give a reason why, and said he would be away for a while.”

Another contacted the Reformer, saying: “Fr Morton is a so popular and beloved by everyone in the church. We’ve not been told anything about what’s happening.”

Fr Morton was ordained into the priesthood at St Leonards in East Kilbride on June 28, 1985, and moved to St Bride’s in 2000.

He previously took a sabbatical from St Bride’s, but was so popular with his parishoners that they started a petition which was sent to the Bishop of Motherwell, requesting he return to St Bride’s afterwards.

Fr Morton has taken part in a number of fundraising activities over the years, receiving sponsorship from the parish, as St Bride’s has raised well over ?100,000 for charity.

In August this year, the Reformer reported that Fr Morton was stunned to watch his own home being robbed as he took Mass.

Fr Morton was conducting the 6pm service when he saw some youngsters acting suspiciously.

However, he carried on with the Mass, during which time the youngsters got into the parish house and took ?65 which had been raised at a children’s event, and a laptop.