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CATH NEWS REPORT: The Catholic community in Morwell, Victoria will soon have a parish priest for the first time in eight years after the resolution of a dispute surrounding the removal of the incumbent in 2003, reports the Latrobe Valley Express.
Fr Speekman was removed by then-Bishop Coffey after his relationship with two parish schools broke down, the newspaper said.
The dispute centred on the removal of parish priest Father John Speekman by now-retired Catholic Bishop of Sale John Coffey, which has now been resolved in favour of the bishop by the Vatican's highest judicial authority.
Current Bishop of Sale, Christopher Prowse described the process as a "long, drawn-out saga" which had been very hurtful for the people in the parish.
"It's been eight years. It's a long time to have a parish without a priest," Bishop Prowse said.
"People have been really wanting it to come back to its normal routines and get beyond this issue."
He said the position of parish priest would now be advertised around the diocese and applications would be taken for the role.
Despite the Vatican decision he described Fr Speekman as a fine priest who would have learnt "from all that has taken place". He commended Fr Speekman and Bishop Coffey "for their patience" on the matter.
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