Shamed vicar to learn home fate
A shamed Black Country vicar who was sacked after having an affair will find out if he can stay in his church-owned home tomorrow.
Mr Patrick Okechi was barred from office last December by a tribunal after having an affair with a parishioner while he was the vicar at the Church of the Good Shepherd with St John, West Bromwich.
Since his dismissal Mr Okechi has refused to move out of the vicarage in Bromford Lane, West Bromwich, and has lodged a claim for reinstatement with the employment tribunal.
The Bishops of Lichfield and Wolverhampton and the Archdeacon of Walsall have now started legal proceedings to regain the property.
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 bishops say the vicarage is required to house the next vicar, whose post is currently being advertised with a closing date of July 3. However, at the first hearing earlier this month, District Judge Simon Bull questioned whether the bishops and archdeacon had the right to seek possession as legally a vicarage is owned by "the incumbent".
The church argues that there is no incumbent as Mr Okechi was removed from office in December 2008. The hearing resumes at 10.15am tomorrow at Birmingham County Court.
