Irish priest leaves Catholic Church after Nazi-themed coke binge

NORTHERN IRELAND
9 News (Australia)

An Irish clergyman is on indefinite leave from the Catholic Church after being caught snorting cocaine in a room full of Nazi memorabilia in his parish house.

Caught dead-to-rights on camera, Father Stephen Crossan, of County Downs in Northern Ireland, admitted imbibing the class-A drug after a party last year, but denied that he is a supporter of National Socialism.

“It was just the one night and that was it. I do not have an issue with drugs,” Fr Crossan told The Sun, adding that he collects relics from “all over the world”, and not just Nazi Germany.

“I know what they stand for, but I’m no Nazi. I collect historical stuff,” Father Crossan, who was on sick leave at the time.

One of his guests told the British tabloid, however, that the 37-year-old priest had given a Sieg Heil Nazi salute at the party.

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