NORTHERN IRELAND
UTV
Published Sunday, 01 September 2013
A west Belfast priest who stood down from duties amid claims about his conduct has returned to ministry after being cleared by a church inquiry.
In a statement Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor confirmed that Fr Hugh Kennedy had returned to his priestly duty in St Peter’s Cathedral.
In July 2011, the Diocese referred information on the priest to the PSNI in accordance with child safeguarding procedures.
Fr Kennedy then voluntarily stepped down, but in November last year, after completing an investigation police confirmed they would not be prosecuting him.
Fr Kennedy remained on leave from duties pending the outcome of a separate church inquiry.
“Following a PSNI investigation and a more recent internal Church review, all relevant agencies, including the statutory authorities, are satisfied that Fr Kennedy should return to ministry,” Bishop Treanor said in a statement.
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