Glasgow priest suspended amid probe over 'inappropriate conduct' with teenage girl

Daily Record
July 29, 2017

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/glasgow-priest-suspended-amid-probe-10886947

Father John Sweeney faces police probe over alleged relationship

Father Sweeney is accused of relationship with 17-year-old girl

A catholic priest has been suspended amid a police probe into an alleged relationship with a teenager, church chiefs have confirmed.

Father John Sweeney, 41, was reported to prosecutors over incidents said to have happened with a 17-year-old girl in the past year.

The clergyman, who lead services at Saint Maria Goretti in Glasgow , is also accused of making a sectarian slur.

The investigation centres on allegations of “inappropriate conduct whilst in a position of trust”, reports The Scottish Sun .

Each alleged incident, including a sectarian breach of the peace, is said to have taken place at his parish between July 2016 and last month.

Church chiefs confirmed Father Sweeney had been put on leave while police carry out an investigation.

Father Sweeney was ordained by Archbishop Mario Conti at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin in 2010.

He was appointed parish priest at Saint Maria Goretti in September 2013.

He joined members of the congregation on a trip to Krakow in Poland for World Youth Day last year.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “A 41-year-old man was arrested on Monday.”