A PARISH priest said yesterday that the continued presence of another priest in his parochial house was “inappropriate”.Fr Declan Boland, parish priest of Strabane, Co Tyrone, said he wants Fr John McCullagh removed from the Church of the Immaculate Conception parochial house after child sex abuse allegations made against Fr McCullagh.
Fr McCullagh, who was neither charged nor convicted of any sex abuse offence, was relieved of all clerical duties after he paid a private settlement of £12,000 to a woman who alleged he had sexually abused her over a 10-year period starting in 1979. In paying the woman, Fr McCullagh did so without admitting liability and he has always denied the allegation.
Nine years ago, after he was relieved from his clerical duties, he was transferred by the Derry Diocesan Authority to live in the Strabane parochial house. Fr Boland said he was unaware of the nature of the allegations against Fr McCullagh until the details emerged in the media last week. He has now asked the Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, to have Fr McCullagh moved.
“I have a sense of frustration that information about Fr McCullagh was withheld from me by church authorities and I was kept in the dark about the specifics of his case and now I have to deal with a situation and with a problem that is none of my making,” said Fr Boland.
“I accept there was no admission of liability by Fr McCullagh but in this day and age perception is what matters. In the light of what has happened it would be inappropriate to have him here in the parochial house. I was not aware of the extent of the situation when he was moved to Strabane as I now am.
“The bottom line is given what has occurred, it is no longer appropriate for him to stay as it is now impossible for him to live in the parochial house here because parishioners here have expressed their concern about his continued presence. I have made it perfectly clear that Fr McCullagh’s stay in Strabane is no longer possible and I am confident that an appropriate decision will be made by the diocesan authorities.
“I am very worried that the image of the parish will be besmirched by this and I will address this from the altar at the weekend. I will clarify the situation for the people and give them a clear understanding of what has happened. Quite frankly in the light of recent revelations there is no way this man can remain under my roof,” he said.
The Bishop of Derry was not available for comment yesterday.
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