THE Saltcoats priest jailed for embezzling almost £100,000 of church funds has been granted dispensation from priesthood by the Pope.
Graeme Bell, who was convicted from stealing from the church, will now live as a layman following the granting of his request from July last year.
On a statement published on St Peter in Chains’ website, they said: “Bishop Nolan reports that Graeme Bell’s request for a dispensation from celibacy and from the obligations of priesthood has been granted by Pope Francis. This brings to an end over sixteen years of ministry in Galloway Diocese.
“We are grateful to Graeme for those years of service and for the good work that he did. We wish him well as he begins a new phase in his life and assure him of the support of our prayers.”
Fr Bell had been parish priest at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, known locally as St Mary’s, in Saltcoats.
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