A priest from a parish near Glasgow has been asked to step down by his diocese amid allegations of historical sexual abuse.
Father Paul Morton, 54, from St Bride's Roman Catholic Church in Cambuslang was told to take 'administrative leave' while police investigate.
A spokesman for the Diocese of Motherwell said: "As a result of an ongoing police inquiry, Fr Paul Morton, parish priest of St Bride's, Cambuslang, has been asked to take administrative leave from parish ministry for an unspecified period of time.
"Fr Morton has agreed to this and will not be living in the parish house or undertaking any public ministry. Fr James O'Kane, will act as administrator of St Bride's during his absence."
At weekend mass, parishioners were asked to pray for the priest and on the church's Children and Youth Group Facebook page a status was posted on Monday.
It said: "Fr Morton - Rosary and prayers tonight at 7pm in the Chapel for Fr Morton. All welcome. If you can't make it along please remember Father in prayer at this time."
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