SCOTLAND
Daily Record
MORE than 1000 angry church-goers have signed a petition demanding a suspended priest be reinstated.
Helen Ann Hawkins, 40, set up the campaign after Father Matthew Despard was told he was being stripped of his duties after failing to meet with Bishop Joseph Toal.
The decision came eight months after he self-published his book Priesthood in Crisis, which accused the Catholic Church of covering up sexual bullying.
But his supporters have given him strong backing, signing an online petition as well as a separate paper petition in their droves.
Now Helen plans to take the campaign to Bishop Toal, who announced the decision to suspend him eight days ago, then on to the Vatican.
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