Catholic priest Francis Moran still to learn whether he can return to Thornton Heath church after sexual assault allegations

By Gareth Davies
CroydAdvertiser
April 23, 2014

http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Catholic-priest-Francis-Moran-learn-return/story-20998938-detail/story.html

Francis Moran has been withdrawn from church life since his arrest in September 2012

A CATHOLIC priest accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is still waiting to learn whether he can return to work.

Francis Moran has been withdrawn from St Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church, in Brook Road, Thornton Heath, since being arrested in September 2012.

Canon Moran was questioned by police after a man in his 30s made allegations of abuse dating back to when he was in his early teens but, last July, the priest was told he would face no further action as there was insufficient evidence to arrest or caution him.

Since then the Archdiocese of Southwark, where Canon Moran worked as a safeguarding officer, has been conducting its own investigation before deciding whether he should return to church life.

Nine months later that inquiry is still ongoing and, this week, a spokesman said a decision has still to be made.

Canon Moran is still listed as the church’s priest on the St Andrew’s newsletter.