Vicar refuses to leave parish home
A shamed West Bromwich vicar who was sacked after having an affair with a parishioner is refusing to leave his church-owned home, it emerged today.
The Diocese of Lichfield is now going to court to regain possession of the vicarage in Bromford Lane, West Bromwich. It is currently occupied by the former vicar of the Church of the Good Shepherd with St John, the Rev Patrick Okechi.
He was removed and barred from office in December 2008 by a tribunal.
The tribunal found a complaint that he had an affair with a parishioner proved and ruled he was guilty of "conduct unbecoming to the office and work of a clerk in holy orders".
The claim is in the name of the Bishops of Lichfield and Wolverhampton and the Archdeacon of Walsall.
Church leaders say the vicarage is required to house the next vicar, whose post is currently being advertised with a closing date of July 3.
They said Mr Okechi had refused to search for accommodation since his removal from office and had lodged a claim for reinstatement with the employment tribunal.
Diocese of Lichfield spokesman Gavin Drake, said: "Mr Okechi has been barred from holding the office of a priest in the Church of England for a period of 10 years, so he can't be reinstated to this or any other position.
"We are naturally sorry that we have to take legal action to gain possession of the vicarage, but we have to consider the needs of the parish of the Good Shepherd.
"The parishioners have been without a vicar since Mr Okechi was suspended in August 2006 and while an interim minister was appointed to assist the parish during this time, he has now moved on."
Mr Okechi had been the incumbent of the church since 2002 and had been married to his wife Rael Ong'ute Otosio since 1988. The hearing will take place at Birmingham County Court on Tuesday.
