[2023] UKUT 275 (AAC)

Father Murphy, who is MM’s parish priest, adopted what he had said previously in the character reference he had provided about MM (see page [20] of the appeal bundle).

He said he had known MM since 2020 and MM had, in the course of confession, disclosed his conviction for sexually assaulting two men about 25 years ago. He told us that he and MM had subsequently discussed these matters further outside the confessional. He said MM had expressed contrition and acknowledged full responsibility for his actions. Father Murphy said he understood MM to be celibate and that MM had told him that he had no interest in exploring sexual relations with anyone.

Father Murphy told the panel that MM had expressed a wish to explore his vocation to become a Catholic priest, which would involve six years of training. He said there was no prospect of MM being able to realise his vocation while he remains on the Barred Lists.

In response to questioning from the panel, Father Murphy said that MM’s ability to have insight into his actions and their impact on those he assaulted, had developed in the course of their discussions. He explained his statement in his character reference that MM “sees things in black and white” to mean that he sees things as “either right or wrong”, that he has high expectations of himself, and that he is trying to “live the gospel”.

Father Murphy explained that his diocese was aware of MM’s conviction and of the fact of his inclusion on the Barred Lists. He said that a safeguarding plan could be put in place by the diocese to prevent MM from being alone with children and/or vulnerable adults (as the case may be) for so long as his name is included on the Barred Lists, but said that if MM’s name were to removed from the Barred Lists matters would be reviewed and he expected that such arrangements would come to an end.