SCOTLAND
Daily Record

PARISHIONERS yesterday walked out of mass for a second time in support of a suspended priest.

Father Matthew Despard has been removed from duties after he wrote a book claiming there is a culture of homosexual bullying in the Catholic Church.

Members of the congregation at St John Ogilvie’s walked out after a statement about his suspension was read to them.

One parishioner said: “People were angry and in disbelief.”

A similar protest was held before Saturday’s vigil mass when Bishop Joseph Toal, Acting Bishop of Motherwell, read out the statement at the church.

Some parishioners were so livid they didn’t even take communion from the bishop and left in tears.

They consoled Father Despard, who stood sobbing outside the church in High Blantyre, Lanarkshire.