Excommunicated priest refuses to leave Church-owned home; sues for ownership

September 09, 2011

An Irish Catholic priest who was excommunicated in 1998 has sued the Diocese of Down and Connor for the title to the Church-owned home that he has refused to leave.

Father Patrick Buckley was excommunicated after he was consecrated as a bishop of the “Independent Catholic Church,” a schismatic body. But he remained in the home he had occupied as a Catholic pastor. Now he complains that he is unable to make needed repairs to the property without proper title, so he has sued for ownership.

The schismatic bishop uses the Church-owned home for his religious services. Among those services are the blessing of same-sex unions, which Buckley—himself an avowed homosexual—strongly endorses.

 

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Further information:

• Pat Buckley to enter talks over 'squatters rights' case (BBC)