A SOUTH Lakeland priest who has to quit his vicarage home after losing his job said he and his wife have been offered a local authority flat.

The Rev Harry Brown, who was sacked as priest-in-charge of Crosscrake and Preston Patrick, said South Lakeland District Council has told him and his wife, Lynn, they will be housed temporarily in a one-bedroom flat in Kendal.

The couple must vacate the vicarage in Crosscrake by June 3 after Mr Brown lost his appeal against a decision by the Bishop of Carlisle to revoke his licence.

They have been permitted to stay in the house for the last three months after the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, ruled that allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation and financial impropriety had been proved against the priest.

Mr Brown, who denied the allegations, told the Gazette this week that he had been unsuccessful in finding work despite being prepared to accept "absolutely anything".

Mrs Brown, who has a degenerative illness and is in remission from cancer, had been affected quite badly by what had happened, he said, and a new address could help the couple make a new start.

"We have been very down since the judgement was made but we have just had to get ourselves up and take each day as it comes just like anybody else.

"We are no different to anybody else in that situation and we realise there are a lot of people in worse situations than ourselves.

"We are looking forward to a new place and new start and just hope people will give me a chance give us both a chance."

Mr Brown added he had decided to stop attending Preston Patrick church.

SLDC housing services manager Peter Thomas said he was unable to comment on the Browns' case.

If someone became homeless, he said, legislation required the council to investigate their circumstances including whether they had children, their age and health. If they fulfilled certain criteria they could be offered temporary accommodation, but this was not a secure tenancy, and did not mean they had jumped the housing waiting list.

Carlisle diocese spokesman the Rev Richard Pratt said the Church was making strenuous efforts to limit the delay before a new priest's appointment, and pastoral care for the parishes would continue.

May 23, 2003 09:00