Worshippers at Crosscrake and Preston Patrick churches heard the Archbishop of York call for courtesy, respect, healing and reconciliation after a priest's three-day appeal hearing was adjourned.

Last week the vicar of both churches, the Rev Harry Brown appealed to the Archbishop, Dr David Hope, against a decision by the Bishop of Carlisle to revoke his licence after accusations of sexual harassment, intimidating behaviour and mental abuse and financial irregularities.

Mr Brown has always denied the allegations, apart from the financial matters, for which he has taken full responsibility.

Sunday morning worship at both churches were led by the Bishop of Penrith, the Rt Rev James Newcome, who read out a statement from the Archbishop concerning the adjournment.

"The Archbishop felt it was important to allow the parties sufficient time to make their presentations to him without feeling hurried," it read.

"Because of this, the three days originally allowed for the case have proved insufficient, and the hearing has been adjourned.

"I recognise it's also inevitable that this hearing will have opened up further wounds - some of them quite deep.

The word profound has been used on a number of occasions and I think that goes for all parties involved.

"I would hope as a Christian community we could continue to pray for each other and not least for me - with my considerable responsibility in this matter."

Mr and Mrs Brown will continue to live at the vicarage in Crosscrake, and Mr Brown will also receive his priest's stipend.

Mr Brown said they had a lot of support from people in the parish.

The first witness to be called by the Carlisle diocese was Jean Proud, who told the hearing about an incident when she had gone to the vicarage at Crosscrake to meet Mr Brown as she was considering training to be a reader in the church.

She told the hearing how Mr Brown sat very close to her and she felt uncomfortable so she moved away.

However, she described how, as fast as she moved away, Mr Brown had moved "closer and closer".

His leg was pressed up against hers, she said.

Mrs Proud alleged that, after Mr Brown had learned she had told others about his behaviour, he was "aggressive and dismissive".

She said she had never wanted to get rid of Mr Brown but eventually decided she should leave the church.

Later in the hearing, Rosalind Denby, who had been a teacher at St Patrick's School in endmoor, said she had had a good relationship with Mr Brown when he came into the school.

However, she said she had approached Mr Brown in the staff room after being told he was having an affair.

Mr Johnson wanted to know how Mrs Denby could be sure about what she had been told.

Mrs Denby said: "She told me quite categorically she had been having an affair with Mr Brown, she told me she was in love with him - exactly how it happened the first time."

Mrs Denby claimed the priest said he had heard rumours about her and had defended her, but that if she spread rumours about him that would "probably change".

The final two witnesses were Rob and Pauline Kelly.Mrs Kelly told the hearing about a meeting at her home between her and the priest.

She had opened a bottle of red wine and was sitting on one of two sofas.

The priest had some papers he wanted to show her and had patted the seat for her to join him on the other sofa, which she did.

"He said he thought it must be very lonely with Rob being away so much and did I find this difficult.

I said no, I did not really find it difficult and I had got quite used to it.

He then said you must be very lonely, I must give you a hug.

He then put his arms round me and held me to him and gave me a big hug - a bear hug.

He did it twice."

After the alleged incident, Mrs Kelly described how the priest's behaviour towards her changed, and he would put her down at PCC meetings, which she started to attend in "fear and trepidation".

Mrs Kelly said Mr Brown had told her she was his "enemy", and she felt "persecuted".

The hearing continues on January 2 next year.

We have been asked to point out that incidents reported in The Westmorland Gazette last week involving the Chief Executive of Cumbria Tourist Board took place in July 1996, prior to her joining the board.