Scottish priest, suspended after writing on ‘powerful gay mafia,’ ordered to leave parish
November 29, 2016
A Scottish priest who was suspended from ministry after writing a book on homosexual influence in the Church has now been ordered to leave the parish where he was assigned.
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Father Matthew Despard was suspended in November 2013 from his post at St. John Ogilvie parish in Blantyre. Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell said that the suspension was warranted because Father Despard had “injured the good reputation of a number of people, both lay and clergy.” The priest appealled the disciplinary action, and has remained at the parish. Now, with his canonical appeals exhausted, he is being ordered to vacate the parish.
In his book Priesthood in Crisis, which he self-published and marketed on the internet, Father Despard had complained of a “powerful gay mafia” at work within the Catholic Church in Scotland. The book appeared shortly after Cardinal Keith O’Brien of Edinburgh resigned, having admitted to homosexual misconduct, prompting speculation about the extent of homosexual influence within the clergy. Father Despard’s book was quickly withdrawn because of threatened lawsuits.
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Further information:
- Catholic priest at centre of gay mafia row under pressure to quit church job (Daily Record)
- Scottish priest sentenced by Church tribunal for book charging 'gay Mafia' influence (CWN 4/20/15)
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Posted by: extremeCatholic -
Nov. 30, 2016 8:38 PM ET USA
Kill the messenger.
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Posted by: feedback -
Nov. 30, 2016 10:11 AM ET USA
God bless you, Father Matthew Despard. Many people will pray for you and for all priests like you, who suffer for the sake of righteousness. The time is coming when this elephant will need to be addressed and removed from the room.
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Posted by: tobim19584752 -
Nov. 29, 2016 11:28 PM ET USA
The abomination is active in the U.S. Catholic Church also.
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Posted by: Faustina01 -
Nov. 29, 2016 10:16 PM ET USA
We will pray for you Fr. Matthew. Trust in Jesus!
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Posted by: JimKcda -
Nov. 29, 2016 10:05 PM ET USA
When will our Church admit to the massive influence of the "gay mafia" within it's ranks? Every parishioner has experienced the adverse influence of homosexual priests and bishops during the years since VII. Since the priest abuse scandal many have once again gone "underground" but they are still adversely influencing our youth in the classrooms and the confessionals. And they continue to be protected by their superiors. How many souls have been lost due to this intolerable situation?
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Nov. 29, 2016 7:27 PM ET USA
Cover ups, cover ups, and still more cover ups.
