A MINISTER has been suspended by the Church of Scotland — and is now serving as a “priest”.
Rev Brian Casey has joined the Old Catholic Apostolic Church, despite facing a Kirk disciplinary probe and being removed from his post last week.
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Rev Brian Casey has been blasted by members of his former congregation
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The congregation in Springburn, Glasgow, was informed of his suspension
The organisation, which is not part of the Roman Catholic Church, revealed the ex-cop was accepted as one of their clergy at Easter.
But last night shocked members of his congregation accused him of “abandoning” them after they’d backed his fight to keep his job at Springburn Parish Church, Glasgow.
Rev Casey had opposed plans to close buildings and merge three local churches.
One angry parishioner hit out: “He made us believe that he was fighting for his people. But he has abandoned us.”
Earlier this year, churchgoers and residents protested against claims the campaigning minister was being forced out as part of a five-year restructuring plan.
After a petition was launched in February, parishioner William McCool said: “Brian Casey isn’t just a name.
“For countless people like me, he represents a guiding light and a source of faith, hope, and love — a symbol of spiritual leadership that the Church of Scotland should be proud of.”
Rev Casey revealed in 2023 that he had considered converting to Catholicism over his claims that the Kirk had been “walking away from the poor”.
Now he has been “incardinated into the OCAC, whose UK base is in Upton, Dorset,
An online directory lists the married dad as a priest in their Scots diocese of Fortriu and Dalriada.
But it adds he will “continue his ministry” in the Church of Scotland and serve “bi-vocationally for the time being”.
The church, part of a group which split from the RC faith in 1870, boasts of its “liberal ethos”.
Their rules “do not require celibacy from clergy”.
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The congregation at Springburn was informed of his suspension by Rev Janet Matheson, Moderator of Glasgow Presbytery.
But Kirk officials have remained tight-lipped.
A spokesman said: “Rev Brian Casey is currently suspended and subject to disciplinary proceedings. As such, we can’t comment further.”
Rev Casey, left, and the Old Catholic Apostolic Church have both been approached for comment.