IRELAND
The Irish Times

GENEVIEVE CARBERY

A PRIEST removed from ministry in California after sexual abuse allegations told his bishop he was returning to Ireland, a statement from a US diocese said yesterday.

Fr Michael Kelly of the Stockton diocese was removed from ministry by the diocese on April 6th after a civil jury found against him in a case alleging sexual abuse in the 1980s, the diocese said. Fr Kelly has denied the allegations.

The priest left in the midst of the second part of a civil trial. Fr Kelly was “in the midst of the civil trial in which he is a defendant”, Bishop Blaire of the diocese of Stockton said yesterday. “I was stunned to receive a letter from Fr Michael Kelly informing me he had returned to Ireland,” the bishop said.

“I have tried to reach Fr Kelly by email and by phone to implore…