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Fr Dominic McKenna
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Innocent priest returns to church on Christmas Eve
Ministry resumes after diocese carries out child protection checks
CLEARED priest Father Dominic McKenna will be back at his Camden Town church this Christmas Eve for the first time in two years.
Described by one worshipper as “the best Christmas present the parish could ever have”, the news was announced to tears and applause at Sunday mass last week.
After a lengthy risk assessment carried out by his diocese, Fr McKenna, who was suspended in January last year following child abuse allegations, will say two masses at Our Lady of Hal Church, in Arlington Road, at 10am and noon on Sunday. He will then take a short period of sabbatical leave.
A Southwark Crown Court case against Fr McKenna – relating to allegations dating back 30 years – was dropped in August after the Crown Prosecution Service offered “no evidence”.
But Fr McKenna was not allowed to return to Our Lady of Hal until the Diocese of Westminster carried out its own investigation.
Speaking following the diocese’s announcement of his return, Fr McKenna said: “Throughout this difficult time, I have been overwhelmed by the constant support shown to me by members of the community at Camden Town, the care of my fellow priests within the diocese and, most especially, the unfailing loyalty of my family and friends.
“I am delighted my return coincides with the Christmas liturgical celebrations and look forward to joining with them in the restoration of my full ministry.”
Lifelong churchgoer Mike Power, 64, described the congregation’s reaction to the news of Fr McKenna’s return: “There were lots of clapping and people in tears. Really, it’s the best Christmas present the parish could ever have.
“Everyone’s delighted. The children were cheering. You can rest assured this Sunday both services will be packed.”
But worshippers remain unsure as to how long Fr McKenna will remain at Arlington Road. Mr Power said: “Reading between the lines, they said he’d be returning to the diocese but they didn’t say he’ll be returning to Arlington Road permanently.
“Hopefully, if there’s any doubts in his mind the welcome he’ll get will clear those but maybe he wants to make a fresh start.”
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, announced Fr McKenna’s return following the recommendation of the diocesan child protection commission.
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor said: “Fr McKenna and the parish of Camden Town have been put under immense strain by the length of time the legal proceedings took to be completed.
“Now our child protection procedures are also complete, I have asked Fr McKenna to return to active ministry in the diocese at the earliest possible opportunity. It is indeed wonderful that this will happen on Christmas Eve.”
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