Secretly-married priest jailed for sex assault

Posted by Clicksomemore
Categories: , 0 comments

A secretly-married priest has been jailed for six months for sexually assaulting a teenage girl, in what a judge described as an "enormous breach of trust".

William Finnegan,known to his parishioners as Father Bill,"passionately" kissed the 17-year-old and touched her bottom at St Clare's Roman Catholic Church in Fagley, Bradford last Easter.

During the trial it emerged he had been secretly married since 1999 in Cyprus after meeting her at his former parish in Castleford.

The disclosure of his relationship came after Ms Dawson was called by the court to give evidence.

She said she and her husband had never permanently lived together but saw each other regularly, had a sexual relationship and went on holidays together.

Finnegan, 60, remains "in denial" about the offence, argued he had 'active sex life' and would not assault a girl.

The victim said she has been left feeling "frightened" and "extremely vulnerable".In an impact statement read out in court, she said: "
'Father Bill' was my priest, who I trusted and someone who was supposed to guide me through my faith, and this has all been taken from me. I've not felt able to go to my family church because I can’t cope with the animosity.’
One of the main issues that's affected me is Father Bill could lie and put me through a trial. Why did he do that? He is supposed to be a man of God. 
Finnegan voluntarily stopped working as a priest after being charged and the Catholic Church says his career is over [he'll not be able to return to the priesthood.]

Bishop Roche withdrew his priestly faculties. In light of this conviction and his entering into civil marriage he will be unable to return to priestly ministry.

The judge also criticized some of Finnegan's parishioners who defiantly stood by their former priest, supporting him despite his conviction, and shunning the young victim.

He was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court after he was found guilty by a jury and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for seven years. 
The former Catholic priest who shirked his vow of celibacy by secretly marrying Beverley Dawson in 1999,kissed in front of photographers as they arrived at Bradford Crown Court.

It stressed that he has stepped down from his role and will never be allowed to be a priest again.

Source:BBC

0 Response to "Secretly-married priest jailed for sex assault "

Get Blogger TipsComment here

Thanks for visiting. Kindly use the below form to drop your comment:

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Clicksomemore.

    Top 5 commentators