Sacked Vicar May Have Rights to Stay in Vicarage Court Told, by Rebekah Oruye, Birmingham Post, June 9, 2009

Sacked Vicar May Have Rights to Stay in Vicarage, Court Told

By Rebekah Oruye
Birmingham Post
June 9, 2009

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2009/06/09/sacked-vicar-may-have-rights -to-stay-in-vicarage-court-told-65233-23824858/

A West Bromwich vicar sacked for having an affair with a parishioner may have rights to the vicarage he refuses to leave, a court heard today.

Dr Patrick Okechi, former Reverend at the Church of the Good Shepherd in West Bromwich was removed and barred from serving as a vicar in December after a tribunal ruled he was guilty of "conduct unbecoming to the office and work of a clerk in holy orders".

Since then, he has filed for reinstatement at an Employment Tribunal and refused to move out of the vicarage in Bromford Lane, where he lives with his wife and three children.

The Diocese of Lichfield brought legal action against Dr Okechi at a case heard at Birmingham County Court to seek re-possession of the vicarage.

But judge Simon Bull, told church representatives they "need to establish if the claimants have any legal rights to the property."

He said "Persons seeking possession must not only establish the person has no right to be there, but that they do."

Mr Bull cited the case of squatters rights adding that the "Bishop is in no better position than a stranger" when it came to removing someone from a property.

A letter was read out in court from community legal advice team on behalf of Dr Okechi, which said he was not in court due to a family bereavement in Kenya. Mr Okechi had requested an adjournment in his absence and also to await the outcome of an employment tribunal.

Mr Bull stated he should have returned yesterday and that the employment tribunal outcome would have no bearing on this case, saying the "chances of being re-instated are nigh on nil", therefore he would carry on proceedings.

The case was adjourned to allow church representatives, to find the vicarage's transfer document, which will show who vicarage was given to when first acquired.

A date for the next hearing was due to be set within the next seven days.

Diocesan spokesman Gavin Drake said: "We are disappointed that today's hearing has been delayed as we want to move swiftly with the appointment of a new vicar for the Church of the Good Shepherd with St John and need the vicarage to house the new vicar.

"We regret having to take legal action to gain possession of the vicarage, but we have to consider the needs of the parish of the good shepherd. The parishioners have been without a vicar since Mr Okechi was suspended in August 2006 and while an interim minister was appointed to assist the parish during this time he has now moved on.

" It is essential that we appoint a new vicar as soon as possible so the parish can put this sorry affair behind them and move forward."

He added: We are robustly challenging Mr Okechi's Employment Tribunal Claim and hope this will be dealt with shortly at a preliminary hearing. Mr Okechi has been barred from holding the office of a priest in the Church of England for a period of 10 years, so he can't be reinstated to this or any other position."