A senior Roman Catholic cleric in Northern Ireland has temporarily stood aside.
The Belfast Telegraph reports today:
Father Hugh Kennedy, the administrator of St Peter’s Cathedral, in west Belfast, confirmed he took the decision after talks with Bishop Noel Treanor, the Bishop of Down and Connor.
No details have been revealed as to why he had stopped working as a priest at the Cathedral.
In a statement Father Kennedy, 55, said he took the decision after meeting with Bishop Treanor on July 20 last.
He added: “Bishop Treanor requested me to ‘stand aside’ from all my priestly/cathedral duties on foot of ‘information’ he had received. This information was not shared with me. Following from this, I have ceased working as a priest at the Cathedral.
“I have no hesitation in co-operating with church/state authorities in light of this development.”
In a statement, the diocesan press office said: “In mid-July the Diocese of Down and Connor received information citing a priest of the diocese, Dr Hugh Kennedy, administrator of St Peter’s Cathedral.
“This information was forwarded promptly to the relevant statutory authorities, (police and social services), who are seeking to clarify its content.
“Fr Hugh Kennedy, who has been on sick leave since early July and before this information was made known to the diocese, has agreed to step aside from his duties while the information is being clarified.
“The diocese can also confirm that the information does not relate to the Schola Cantorum, St Peter’s Cathedral, nor to any member of the schola.”
The statement said no further comment could be made while the civil authorities continued to clarify the matter.
Father Kennedy was ordained a priest in 1981 when he was studying at the Irish College in Rome. He was appointed administrator at St Peter’s in 2006.
CNI note
A long term partnership exists between St Anne’s and St Peter’s Cathedrals. Since his appointment, Dr Kennedy has been a frequent and most welcome colleague at St Anne’s.