Holy improper: Catholic priest sacked after ‘fling’ with student

The Sun on Sunday
January 3, 2016

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/6835683/Catholic-priest-fired-over-relationship-with-student.html

Probed ... Father Rowan Photo by Kevin Dunnett

'Fling' ... Charmaine Garton Photo by Peter Jordan

A CATHOLIC priest has been sacked from a university over allegations of a relationship with a student.

Father Paul Rowan, 47, is said to have become close to mum-of-two Charmaine Garton, now 33, around two years ago.

Fr Rowan is understood to be appealing November’s decision to dismiss him, but also faces a church probe into his conduct.

He was senior lecturer and programme director of theology and religious studies at St Mary’s University, in Twickenham, South West London. Undergraduate Charmaine, who ran for the university’s student union presidency in 2013, is said to no longer be at the university.

Popular Fr Rowan, from Warrington, Cheshire, boxed for England under 19s. He joined St Mary’s in 2008.

One student said: “He was easily the best lecturer I had at the university. He was very engaging and made the subject really great.”

A former student said: “Fr Rowan is a decent and good man. We thought the world of him.”

A church source told The Sun on Sunday: “There are employment proceedings taking place regarding his dismissal from the university. Once they are concluded his future will be determined by the church. It is a matter which will be taken very seriously.”

Fr Rowan was ordained in the Archdiocese of Liverpool in 1995. The Liverpool fan became chaplain at University Hospital Aintree in 2001 and offered mass for then Reds boss Gerard Houllier as he recovered from heart surgery.

Fr Rowan did not respond to a request for comment.

Charmaine said: “I’m afraid I cannot comment.” The university also refused to comment.