C of I minister permission to officiate withdrawn over newspaper claims

A C of I Cleric who is the special adviser to Danny Kenndy, NI’s minister for employment and learning has been sacked following allegations in The Belfast Telegraph today about his private life.

Dr Brian Crowe has strenously denied the claims which involve allegations of sexual impropriety, and that he abused his position as a ministerial adviser.

However minister Danny Kennedy said they made his position “untenable”.

“I have decided to terminate his employment with immediate effect,” he said.

Dr Crowe is a former full-time Church of Ireland minister who has continued to preach in a parish in Lisburn in a non-stipendiary role.

In a statement, the Church of Ireland said: “These are matters which the church takes very seriously.

“While the investigations are carried out and the outcome of this process is awaited Dr Crowe’s permission to officiate has been withdrawn and he will not undertake parish duties.”

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