Priest leaves post over abuse claims
Sunday, 22 November 2009 21:34A Roman Catholic priest in Northern Ireland has been asked to leave his post over child abuse claims dating back to the mid-1970s.
The PSNI has launched an investigation into the conduct of Fr Paul Symonds when he was working in England, the church authorities said.
Church authorities have refused to reveal where he was working in England.
He is now a curate in Ballymena, Co Antrim, and Dr Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, addressed parishioners today.
'The safeguarding and welfare of children is the paramount concern for the diocese,' he said.
'Both the diocese and Father Symonds are co-operating fully with the investigation and the diocese is liaising with the statutory child safeguarding authorities.
'As part of the diocesan safeguarding procedures, Father Symonds was asked to cease from all public ministry pending the outcome of the investigation. He agreed to this."
He said Fr Symonds was entitled to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
'In accordance with the diocesan policy of safeguarding, all concerned are offered appropriate support,' he added.
