CV NEWS FEED // A Catholic priest who was going to be installed as a bishop in a local English diocese has been sent back to continue duties as a parish priest after the preliminary investigation into allegations against him concluded.
The Catholic Diocese of Clifton, England, recently announced that the priest, Reverend Canon Christopher Whitehead, was going to be installed as Bishop of Plymouth, but has since returned to priestly duties at Saint John the Evangelist in Bath, according to Premier Christian News.
Whitehead’s installation was set for February but was canceled three weeks before it took place. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales explained that the decision was a result of “a canonical process.”
On March 22, the Diocese of Clifton issued a statement explaining that unspecified allegations were raised against Whitehead, and the diocese launched a preliminary investigation. During the investigation, Whitehead was not participating in active ministry.
“At the conclusion of the aforementioned inquiry, it was determined that no canonical action was warranted,” the statement notes. “The Diocese communicates that Canon Whitehead has resumed his duties as Parish Priest of Saint John the Evangelist in Bath.”
It is unclear whether Whitehead or another priest will be appointed Bishop of Plymouth.
In a statement to Premier after the announcement, a spokesman for the diocese explained, “The appointment of a new bishop is made by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. We continue to wait for an official announcement from the Holy See as to who will be appointed as the next Bishop of Plymouth.”
The post Catholic priest whose installation as bishop was canceled returns to parish ministry appeared first on CatholicVote org.