Priest talks to his lawyer

by NZ Catholic staff
A priest who had been serving in the diocese of Hamilton, Fr Alex Kapiarumala, may take legal action against Bishop
Steve Lowe.
The New Zealand bishops’ communications adviser, Simone Olsen, told NZ Catholic that the Church completed an investigation into Fr Kapiarumala last November after a complaint against him was received.
A Waikato Times report said Fr Kapiarumala had talked to his lawyer about taking legal action.
A CathNews NZ report said a letter explaining that Fr Kapiarumala no longer had permission to serve in the diocese
and outlining allegations made against him was read out to congregations and put on noticeboards at diocesan churches at the end of August.
Ms Olsen said that an investigation was completed under the church’s protocol Te Houhanga Rongo – A path to healing.
“An outcome has been reached and he [Fr Kapiarumala] has been told he can no longer minister as a priest in the diocese of Hamilton.”
Ms Olsen said the complainant contacted police, but “the behaviour was not of a criminal nature”.
The diocese confirmed that it offered to pay Fr Kapiarumala’s airfares back to India, where he is from, but he had declined the offer.
NZ Catholic made several attempts,by phone and social media, to contact Fr Kapiarumala, but was unsuccessful.

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