CHURCH leaders are in talks over the future of a parish priest, who was mysteriously removed from his post five years ago.

The St Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church congregation, in Darlington, has been told that the situation surrounding Father Michael Higginbottom’s removal from the church will be resolved sooner rather than later.

Fr Higginbottom has been missing from his parish since December 2004, when parishioners were told that he was “spending some time away”

while information was being investigated.

It has since emerged that the accusations are not of a violent or sexual nature, but Fr Higginbottom has never returned and parishioners are yet to be told the reasons for his removal. Parishioners have now been told that Fr Higginbottom’s replacement, Brother Michael Francis, is also moving on, but there is still no sign of Fr Higginbottom.

Fr Seamus Doyle will fill the post as administrator, until a permanent solution is found.

But Darlington councillor Cyndi Hughes, a member of the St Augustine’s congregation, last night reiterated the importance of the parish having its priest.

She said: “My family and I have recently suffered a terrible bereavement. It is during times of trial and tragedy that one is reminded of how important the role of parish priest is to those facing troubles.

“Although I am happy to welcome Fr Doyle as administrator, I believe St Augustine’s needs a parish priest.

“We remain hopeful that Fr Higginbottom’s ordeal will soon be over and that he will be returned to us.”

Jim Cunningham, another member of the congregation, praised Bro Francis for his conduct during the process.

“He has been an inspiration,”

he said. Mr Cunningham said he had no idea why the investigation had taken so long, but said it might have moved quicker had the new Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, the Right Reverend Seamus Cunningham, not fallen ill shortly after taking up his post.

“There is no timetable, but we hope it is going to be resolved sooner rather than later,” he added.

“The bishop and Fr Higginbottom’s team are talking to each other.

“We just hope and pray that something can be resolved in the future, for the parish, Fr Michael and the bishop. When something is resolved the parish will be informed.”