An Invercargill woman's alleged obsessive behaviour towards a priest raises a medical versus ethical debate, a Dunedin-based clinical psychologist said. Cindy Hall's comments are in response to popular Invercargill Catholic priest, Father Hamesh Wyatt, announcing he is taking indefinite leave because of work related stress and years of excessive attention from parishioner Marianne Bonn.
He acknowledged her behaviour was linked to mental illness. However, despite efforts to get her help, she refused it.
Mr Wyatt believed Ms Bonn had slipped through the cracks of the mental health system.
In an interview Ms Bonn admitted she had feelings for Mr Wyatt but denied being obsessed with him.
She said she believed Mr Wyatt had shown interest in her in the past.
However, she was starting to have her doubts after he never responded to a marriage proposal she placed in The Southland Times on Christmas Eve.
"I made it quite obvious at Christmas time and 70 days later. I still haven't had a reply," she said. Dr Hall said obsessive behaviour was not uncommon but it was not necessarily grounds to admit someone to hospital.
A family spokesperson for Ms Bonn said the family was disappointed nothing could be done until she hurt someone.
"This (the stalking) has been going on for decades and it really has. And that's fine, but this is only one part of the whole story ...
Pretty much it comes down to the fact that the mental health system can't do anything about it and we keep on getting closed doors. And it is absolute bull****," the spokesperson said.
It is understood Father Martin Flannery, of Queenstown, will take place at St Patrick's.
Father Flannery could not be reached for comment.
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