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	Spurned Lover Falsely Accused Coventry Priest of Rape Coventry Telegraph February 14, 2011 http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2011/02/14/spurner-lover-falsely-accused-coventry-priest-of-rape-92746-28166389/ A COVENTRY priest was falsely accused of rape by a married college chaplain after he ended their affair. Father Patrick Udoma, aged 46, who leads Corpus Christi Church, in Langbank Avenue, Ernesford Grange, spent 23 hours in police custody being questioned over mum-of-four Emma Templeton's allegations. He was removed from public ministry for three months in April last year while police investigated. Templeton, 44, of Northfield, Birmingham, later admitted she had made up the accusation when the pair's relationship ended. She pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday to perverting the course of justice and received a ten-month jail sentence, suspended for a year. Despite details of his affair with a married woman being made public, Fr Udoma is still employed by the Archdiocese of Birmingham and led Mass at Corpus Christi yesterday morning. Parishioners said the priest had been working at the church since last summer. One described him as a "lovely, approachable man who is always smiling". When approached by a reporter yesterday, Fr Udoma said: "I don't want to talk about any of this, please contact the Birmingham office. I am a victim in all of this." During interviews with the police the priest admitted he had consensual sex with Templeton on two occasions and that the relationship was over. He told them that she had warned him that if he "hurt" her she would not be able to guarantee what she would do. At court Recorder James Burbidge QC said Fr Udoma's life had been "completely devastated" by the bogus claim. When police examined Templeton's mobile phone they found more than 200 text messages in which she declared her love for him. Peter Jennings, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Birmingham, confirmed Fr Udoma was taken out of public ministry to "reflect on his personal behaviour" and returned when it was clear he would not face any charges. He said: "The Archdiocese of Birmingham is relieved that the very serious allegations made about Fr Udoma were found to be false. "Fr Udoma returned to public ministry in Coventry once it was satisfied that he would not be subject to any criminal proceedings. "This decision was also taken on the basis of Fr Udoma's own assurances that he would be faithful to his promise of celibacy." The Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, has also sent a pastoral message to the parishes where Fr Udoma served.
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