A chapel on the Suffolk-Norfolk border has been forced to close after its priest was sacked following an extraordinary incident which saw him become involved in a "physical argument" with a 77-year-old female parishioner.
Father Michael Brookes, 62, has been accused of grabbing the woman and dragging her into a room during a row just before mass on Christmas Eve at the St Thomas More Roman Catholic chapel in Harleston.
The Diocese of East Anglia has confirmed that following an investigation Fr Brookes has been removed from his post.
It has also announced that masses in Harleston and Bungay have been "temporarily paused".
WHAT HAPPENED?
The incident on Christmas Eve followed an argument over whether a family should be allowed to attend mass with their puppy.
The woman, who has been a parishioner for several years, was keen to allow them in, but Fr Brookes disagreed and asked them to leave.
The row took place in a side room at the Jay's Green chapel and afterwards, Fr Brookes cancelled the service and sent the congregation home.
"IT WAS VERY SCARY"
The woman, who has asked not to be named, told this newspaper: "He gripped me and shook me, having dragged me into a room which nobody could see into, while shouting in my face.
"It was all because I said he was wrong to rudely dismiss a family from the door as a small boy had a puppy with him.
"It was very scary.
"I tried to leave and he dragged me back into the room and continued shouting in my face.
"Finally I managed to escape the room before the Father then ordered those in attendance for the ceremony out of the chapel."
She said: "What was most terrifying wasn't the physical manhandling, it was the way he screamed in my face, spitting as he shouted out of control."
WHY WERE THE POLICE NOT INFORMED?
The woman did not report the incident to police but notified the diocese.
She said she gave church leaders an ultimatum to dismiss Fr Brookes or she would contact police.
She claims she had previously raised concerns with the diocese about his behaviour.
"In the preceding weeks, there had been incidents where the man had also lost the plot at people, screaming at them - and it was becoming more and more frequent," she said.
"The clues for this eventual physical attack were there for a long time, as there had been many reported incidents.
"The bottom line is that he was abusive for the whole parish for over two years and it has resulted in the closure of the Harleston site which is so sad for so many people."
WHAT DID THE DIOCESE OF EAST ANGLIA HAVE TO SAY?
A spokesman for the diocese said: "We can confirm that an incident took place on Christmas Eve 2023 at St Thomas More, Harleston between parish priest Fr Michael Brookes and a parishioner.
"There was an argument and physical contact on a parishioner by Fr Brookes, which did not result in an injury.
"Fr Brookes immediately reported the incident to the Diocesan Safeguarding Service. The parishioner did not regard it as a police matter.
"After a thorough investigation by the Diocesan Safeguarding Service, Bishop Peter Collins took the decision that the priest should stand down from his priestly ministries and undergo independent clinical psychological assessment; he will be supported by Diocesan authorities through the coming period.
"In consequence, Fr Brookes is currently out of ministry and is no longer resident in the parish."
BISHOP APOLOGISES
Since the summer of 2023, Bishop Peter held a series of meetings and conversations with Fr Michael regarding his health and his role.
In a statement, he said the priest had been "experiencing the effects of significant stress over recent months, not least as a result of his concern regarding the health of his elderly mother" and a reorganisation of parishes.
The bishop added: “This is a very sad and upsetting situation for everyone and the safety and well-being of all involved are our primary concern.
"I wish to express my sadness and regret to the victim for what she experienced. We offer her the assurance of our prayers and support
"Please be assured that I will continue to pray for everyone involved and the parishes of Bungay and Beccles.”
But the woman told this newspaper that she had not received an apology from the bishop.
"THINGS IN MY LIFE FELL APART," FATHER MICHAEL SAYS
Fr Michael was appointed to the parish of Bungay with Harleston in 2021.
In an article on the parish website, he describes how he previously worked as a psychiatric nurse.
He describes how his faith grew after he endured challenges in his personal life.
He wrote: "Things in my life fell apart – a relationship, work, where I was living.
"Everything was negative, loss. Faith had become important again in my life, and I wanted to take my faith more seriously."
In the 1990s, inspired by Mother Theresa, he travelled to India and, on his return, fell seriously ill.
This deepened his faith further and he converted to Catholicism from Anglicanism.
He later joined the Order of the Carmelites at a priory in Kent for about four years.
After he left, he lived with the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham, while working in the NHS.
He then settled in Dereham and worked with Norfolk social services, before joining the priesthood in 2019.
After a brief stay in Bury St Edmunds, he joined the Bungay and Harleston parish.
He lived at the presbytery in Bungay but was asked to leave following the Christmas Eve incident.
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