Hundreds Welcome Priest Cleared of Sex Abuse Back to Chapel
Daily Record
Hundreds of people packed into St Bride's Parish Church this morning (Thursday) to welcome back Father Paul Morton – their parish priest and friend wrongly accused of sex abuse. Father Morton was last April cleared of any wrongdoing by the police after an eight-month investigation into the alleged historic offences. But the priest, who has been at the helm of the Cambuslang chapel for 15 years, was subject to a further investigation by the Catholic Church. Concluded in December, it also vindicated the East Kilbride native of any wrongdoing. Following a petition calling for Father Morton's speedy return to St Bride's, the priest took to the alter to celebrate the Feast of St Thomas Aquinas. He was greeted with a massive cheer from his parishioners, before joking that it was unusual to see so many people at a week-day mass. Father Morton spoke to his congregation about his difficult time, but said their messages of love and support had helped him through. The popular priest spoke to the Reformer about his return to St Bride's, which will be featured in next week's Reformer.
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