SCOTLAND
Herald Scotland
Martin Williams Wednesday 23 December
A PRIEST who was suspended over unfounded allegations of historic sexual abuse is set to make a return to full ministry in Scotland – over seven months after police said there was no case to answer.
Father Paul Morton is expected to return to St Bride’s RC church in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, following the conclusion of a Catholic church canonical inquiry.
Campaigners calling for the re-instatement delivered a 2,037-signature petition to the Chancellor of the Diocese of Motherwell in September, almost a year after the priest was removed from his home and parish following the anonymous claims.
Father Morton, 55, was cleared of any wrongdoing in May after being falsely accused in 2014.
Many worshippers at St Bride’s wanted him reinstated and criticised the Catholic Church for dragging its heels on the issue.
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