Roman Catholic church defends handling of Harleston row

Father Michael Brookes, 62, has been accused of assaulting the 77-year-old woman just before mass on Christmas Eve following a row over a dog.

She said she was still coming to terms with what had happened.

"I have scarcely slept since the assault, and still have flashbacks and feel pretty near to breakdown," she added.

"I was devastated by what happened, especially as a priest is meant to represent Christ to us, and this has shaken my trust in the church."

The Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia has confirmed that Father Michael has been removed from his post following the incident, at St Thomas More chapel in Harleston.

However, the matter has not been referred to police.

Catholic Chapel of St Thomas More in Harleston where the incident happened on Christmas Eve (Image: Sonya Duncan)

A spokesman for the diocese said: "Had the victim been a young person or a vulnerable adult and the incident involved a potential offence, it would have automatically been referred to the police.

"Because the victim was not a young person or vulnerable adult and had the capacity to make her own decisions, she decided she did not want the police involved, as was her right.

"The diocese takes a victim-centred approach and respected her decision."

The incident occurred just before the start of the morning mass and was sparked by the arrival at the chapel of a family with their puppy.

The parishioner was keen to allow them to attend the service but Father Michael disagreed and asked them to leave.

The woman claims she was then "gripped", "shaken" and "dragged" into a side room where she was shouted at.

Father Michael Brookes has been dismissed as a priest after physically assaulting a 77-year-old woman (Image: Submitted)

Afterwards, she effectively gave the diocese an ultimatum, either to dismiss Fr Michael or she would contact the police.

Church officials referred the matter to their safeguarding department and an investigation was carried out.

READ MORE: Priest sacked after 'physical argument' with widow, 77, at Christmas Eve mass

Bishop Peter Collines then took the decision that Father Michael should stand down from his priestly duties and undergo clinical psychological assessment.

In a statement, the bishop has expressed his "sadness and regret" to the woman.

However, she said she had not received an apology from the priest, the bishop or the diocese.

The incident happened at the Catholic Chapel of St Thomas More (Image: Sonya Duncan)

She told the EDP she had decided not to contact the police as she feared it would "make things worse for her" but said she was still considering doing so.

She said she felt under pressure - though not from the diocese - not to discuss the incident with others.

She added: "There was unbearable pressure on me afterwards not to speak about the assault, which meant there wasn’t much support locally, and this has affected my mental health.

"I certainly have heard nothing from the church or the Bishop by way of apology."

Father Michael Brookes was dismissed following the incident (Image: Submitted)