Priest in dispute with ex-lover to take time out from ministry

Bishop John Fleming described the case as “a complete shock”

A priest who sued his ex-lover over the ownership of a Co. Donegal cottage is to take time out from his ministry to reflect, the Bishop of Killala has announced.

Bishop John Fleming described the circumstances of the case involving Fr Gabriel Rosbotham as “a complete shock” to him. He said the case had caused “deep distress”.

Dr Fleming made his comments in a letter that was read out at Masses in the diocese at the weekend.

Ballina-based Fr Rosbotham was awarded a 27% share in the property, known as Rose Cottage, at Letterbarrow outside Mountcharles, by a judge in Donegal last week.

Court

He had taken Mr Hugh Crawford to court claiming a 50% stake in the house.

Fr Rosbotham and Mr Crawford met in the 1980s when they were both Franciscan brothers. Mr Crawford has since left the Franciscans and, in 1997, Fr Rosbotham became a diocesan priest in Killala diocese.

In his letter, the bishop revealed that, since the court case had ended, he had met Fr Rosbottom, who has “decided to take some time to himself, away from the diocese, to reflect on his life, on the commitments he made and on his ministry, as well as to think about the future.

“I know that you will join with me in praying for him, as he seeks God’s guidance for the way forward,” Dr Fleming said.