St Bride's Church Members Vow to Rally Round Father Morton
By Kenny Smith
Parishioners at a Cambuslang church have vowed to support their priest who has been suspended from his duties after police launched an investigation into historic sexual abuse allegations. Father Paul Morton has been the Parish Priest at St Bride’s Church for 14 years. We reported last week there was concern amongst his flock when he was unable to take Mass on October 5, with the Bishop of Motherwell stepping in his place. It was later revealed Fr Morton (54) has stepped aside from his duties at the church, as a result of an investigation by Police Scotland. Police Scotland said this week the investigation was still at an early stage. A spokesperson for the Catholic Church 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 parishioners contacted the Reformer on Monday and Tuesday last week, asking to know what had happened to Fr Morton, as they had only been told that he: “has been asked to step down”, and no other information was forthcoming. One member of the parish told the Reformer this week: “Father Morton is understandably upset by these allegations. “In the church, we are supporting him at this difficult time, and doing our best to give him the same kind of support that he has given to us over the years.” Another churchgoer criticised the Catholic Church for removing Fr Morton before any investigation had been completed. Last 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.” However, the church’s Facebook group has since been taken down. 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. His popularity amongst his parish was so great that after he took a sabbatical from the church, his parishioners started a petition which was sent to the Bishop of Motherwell, . This was successful and resulted in Fr Morton returning to St Bride’s. He also 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.
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