NEW ZEALAND
Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2019
By Chris Morris
A former Dunedin priest convicted of abusing four boys – and alleged to have targeted many more – finally faces the possibility of being defrocked by the Vatican.
The defrocking – or laicisation – of Fr Magnus Murray has been referred to the Vatican, where it is being considered under the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, ODT Insight understands.
The process is believed to have started late last year, and it is understood any outcome is likely to be weeks or months away.
The matter is understood to have been referred to the Vatican by Hamilton Bishop Steve Lowe, as Fr Murray – now aged in his early 90s – remained part of the Hamilton diocese despite now living in Auckland.
Bishop Lowe would not comment when contacted this week, saying he was prevented from doing so by the church’s “judicial process”.
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