IRELAND
Irish Independent
By Louise Hogan and Sean Ryan
Monday May 07 2012
A PRIEST has returned to the pulpit after taking a leave of absence while an allegation against him was investigated.
A large congregation gathered in the Church of the Assumption in Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny, as parish priest, Fr Peter Muldowney, returned to perform Mass for the first time since stepping down last September.
Fr Muldowney said last night he was “absolutely delighted, relieved and very happy to be back”.
Bishop Seamus Freeman, from the Diocese of Ossory, confirmed Fr Muldowney had sought a leave of absence from ministry to allow the diocese to investigate a “safeguarding matter” it had received concerning him. The bishop yesterday confirmed the “safeguarding matter has been withdrawn”.
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