The Press (New Zealand)
29 August 2011
A Christchurch Catholic priest is being investigated over alleged “financial irregularities” in his parish.
Sacred Heart, Addington, parish priest Father John Fitzmaurice, who also ministers to the Carmelite Monastery in Hoon Hay, has been stood down.
The announcement was made in a letter from Catholic Bishop of Christchurch Barry Jones read out at masses across the city yesterday.
He said it was his “painful duty” to inform the diocese that Fitzmaurice had been suspended “from all priestly ministry”.
“Financial irregularities in areas of his responsibility have been discovered and are being looked into further,” he said.
“Diocesan authorities have been having full discussions with Father John about these matters, but at the moment no further information can be made available.”
Fitzmaurice has been chairman of the diocese’s council of priests and administrator of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
- The Press
__________________________
Chch senior priest stood down over fraud claims
3 News (www.3newz.co.nz)
29 August 2011
Sacred Heart Addington
UPDATED 2:51PM
Published: MON, 29 AUG 2011 9:24A.M.
The Catholic community in Christchurchis reeling from news one of its most senior priests has been stood down over alleged financial irregularities.
Father John Fitzmaurice is the parish priest for Sacred Heart Addington and also ministers to the ministry in Hoon Hay.
A letter from Catholic Bishop Barry Jones was read out at masses yesterday stating it was his “painful duty” to confirm Fitzmaurice is suspended from “all priestly ministry”.
Mr Jones says the financial irregularities are in areas Father John was responsible for.
“This is not a very good experience at all. Everyone is disappointed,” he says.
Lyndsay Freer is the communications spokesperson from theAucklanddiocese and says it is more bad news after the earthquakes.
“This is just another shock,” she says. “I think people at this stage are shocked, but until investigations take place, it won’t be appropriate to say anything.”
Ms Freer says diocesan authorities are in full discussions with Father John over the allegations.
Earlier this month Jonathan Kirkpatrick, an Anglican priest, admitted defrauding the Auckland University of Technology of more than $500,000.
Kirkpatrick is on bail and will be sentenced on October 6.
3 News / RadioLIVE