Banned Catholic Priest Threatens Legal Action

Waikato Times
September 4, 2015

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/71759939/banned-catholic-priest-threatens-legal-action

The Catholic Church has banned a priest from performing mass in the Waikato.

A Catholic priest investigated by his church after a complaint against him has been banned from practising in the Waikato.

But he's refusing to turn the other cheek and is instead threatening legal action against his bishop after a letter detailing allegations against him was read out to congregations and put on noticeboards at churches across the region.

The Catholic Church hierarchy completed their investigation into Tauranga priest Father Alex Kapiarumala in November 2014, and as a result banned him from practising in the Hamilton Diocese which covers 44 churches in the central North Island.

The matter has been further inflamed with Kapiarumala confirming he had instructed his lawyer to begin legal proceedings against Bishop Steve Lowe after his letter to parishioners.

When contacted Kapiarumala confirmed he had issued instructions to his lawyer, Lisa Abrams, regarding the letter and referred Fairfax Media to her.

In an email response Abrams said that investigations and discussions regarding the matters are still ongoing.

"It's not appropriate to discuss events in detail at this time," Abrams said.

The church confirmed they offered to pay Kapiarumala's airfares back to India, where he is from, which he has declined.

Spokesperson for the bishop, Simone Olson, confirmed the investigation was completed under the church's protocol "Te Houhanga Rongo – A path to healing."

"The steps Bishop Steve has taken are as a result of that investigation. An outcome has been reached and he (Kapiarumala) has been told he can no longer minister as a priest in the diocese of Hamilton."

Olsen said police were informed by the complainant but "the behaviour was not of a criminal nature."

Father Alex Kapiarumala was a practising priest in Tauranga when a parishioner made a complaint to the Waikato Bishop's office, based in Hamilton, in August last year.

A source said when the complaint was laid the church told Kapiarumala he could no longer conduct mass or bestow the holy sacrament.

"We just couldn't believe it when we heard what he was supposed to have done," the source said.

The source described the letter by Bishop Lowe as "sensible."

"He's just trying to protect the flock. The bishop even offered to pay his airfares back to India, twice.

"He just wanted to let people know what was happening."

"In his letter the bishop said that Father Alex was taking him to court. It's all very sad and we pray for a peaceful resolution."

The source understood that the complaint was only laid with the church and to her knowledge the investigation is yet to be resolved.

"All we can do is pray for Father Alex. Only God can judge him, no one else."