GLASGOW (UNITED KINGDOM)
The Scottish Sun [Glasgow, Scotland]
July 29, 2023
By Chris Taylor
The Vatican is set to decide if they’ll kick out a pervert Scots priest, we can reveal.
Officials in Rome will rule on beast Father Neil McGarrity, 59, who was convicted six months ago of molesting four girls.
He remains suspended after the leader of Catholics in Glasgow, Archbishop William Nolan, referred his case to his bosses.
A source told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: “McGarrity’s conduct was investigated by church authorities here.
“It’s almost certain he will never say Mass again, wear vestments or call himself Father.
“But it’s the Vatican that has the final say on officially expelling him from the priesthood.
“McGarrity can cut that process short by applying himself to be ‘laicised’.
“It would mean he’d leave the priesthood voluntarily.
“Given the evidence against him, he should do that.”
The disgraced clergyman faces being defrocked once proceedings are concluded.
But he is still listed as a priest on the Archdiocese of Glasgow website.
He is said to be “living privately” after leaving the manse of St Thomas’ Church in the city’s Riddrie.
A trial heard how he preyed on girls, aged 10 to 16, there and at St Bernadette’s, Carntyne.
He played “footsie” with one and had a “prolonged embrace” with another.
McGarrity was nailed in January for four sex assaults and engaging in sexual activity between 2017 and 2020.
He was tagged for nine months, ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work and put on the sex offenders list.
An archdiocese spokesman said: “Neil McGarrity is not involved in parish activity and can’t operate as a priest.
“After his conviction his case was sent to Rome.
!We are assured it is being examined but no response has been communicated to us.”