Parishioners this week have supported a parish priest who has been removed from his post by church bosses after claims he stalked a former altar boy online.

Father Frank King, who was in charge of both St Aidan’s Church in Coltness and St Mary’s Church in Cleland, was axed by the Diocese of Motherwell after a complaint was that he harassed Tony Moore.

It emerged this week that the priest was rebuked by the Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Toal over a string of messages he sent on Facebook to Tony asking him to meet up or go for dinner.

Hairdresser Tony met with Bishop Toal and showed him the messages and raised concerns about Father King’s behaviour.

Yesterday (Tuesday), Father Liam O’Connor, assistant priest at at Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride, and chaplain to Hairmyres Hospital, took mass at St Aidan’s.

The Wishaw Press spoke to a number of St Aidan’s parishioners who arrived for mass on Tuesday morning.

One man, who asked not to be named, said: “Father King was very hard-working and was looking after both St Aidan’s and St Mary’s.

“I am really angry and shocked by what I read.”

Another added: “I was disappointed by what I read. I feel he was stitched up.”

The Wishaw Press also spoke to Very Rev. Joseph Clements outside the church on Tuesday morning.

He said: “Father King has carried out a lot of hard work on behalf of the church.

“He was very well liked by the parishioners.”

Father King only left St Thomas’ Church in Wishaw about two weeks ago due to various changes within the diocese.

Before he left parishioners there held a farewell mass for him.

Since the story broke earlier this week, the Wishaw Press has also received a number of comments on our Facebook in support of Father King.

Karen Haughey posted: “Father King would never do anything like that.

“He is a wonderful man and a brilliant priest whom I would trust and would go to with any troubles.”

Michelle Conway continued: “He hasn’t really done anything wrong?

“He was trying to make friends with someone he thought he knew.

“Not once was there anything sexual mentioned, or am I missing something?”

Elaine Ferrie added: “In full support of Father King. This is so wrong.”

Despite the majority backing Father King, there were a few dissenting voices on our Facebook page.

One of them, San Whiteford, posted: “Wants it brushed under the carpet, more like.”

A spokesman for the Diocese of Motherwell said: “Father Frank King, has agreed to a period of absence from his parish, following a complaint received about messages exchanged on social media.

“He has been asked to exercise care in future and has agreed to do so.

“This matter was not referred to the police.

“Father Liam O’Connor, assistant priest at Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride, and chaplain to Hairmyres Hospital, will administer St Aidan’s and St Mary’s during Father King’s absence, beginning on Monday, September 14.”