The Catholic community in Morwell, Victoria will
soon have a parish priest for the first time in eight years after the
resolution of a dispute surrounding the removal of the incumbent in
2003, reports the Latrobe Valley Express.
The dispute centred on the
removal of parish priest Father John Speekman by now-retired Catholic
Bishop of Sale John Coffey, which has now been resolved in favour of the
bishop by the Vatican's highest judicial authority.
Fr Speekman was removed by then-Bishop Coffey after his relationship with two parish schools broke down, the newspaper said.
Current Bishop of Sale, Christopher Prowse described the process as a
"long, drawn-out saga" which had been very hurtful for the people in
the parish.
"It's been eight years. It's a long time to have a parish without a priest," Bishop Prowse said.
"People have been really wanting it to come back to its normal routines and get beyond this issue."
He said the position of parish priest would now be advertised around the diocese and applications would be taken for the role.
Despite the Vatican decision he described Fr Speekman as a fine
priest who would have learnt "from all that has taken place".
He
commended Fr Speekman and Bishop Coffey "for their patience" on the
matter.