Catholic priest suspended over abuse allegations

SCOTLAND
Evening Times

Victoria Brenan
Reporter

Father Richard Rodgers was suspended from his North Lanarkshire parish after a complaint was made to the diocese and passed to police.

The 79-year-old, who served at St Mary’s Parish Church in Cleland, has been suspended for an indefinite period while the investigation continues.

Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Toal has reportedly stepped in to cover mass at St Mary’s while cover from elsewhere in the diocese will be put in place for parishioners in his absence.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Motherwell said: “Following a complaint received by the Diocese and passed to Police Scotland, Fr Richard Rodgers will not be in active parish ministry for an unspecified period of time.

“Fr Rodgers has agreed to this and will not be living in the parish house or undertaking any public ministry.

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