PARISHIONERS furious at the removal of a Roman Catholic priest from their church have written to investigating authorities demanding answers.

More than six months after Father Michael Higginbottom was withdrawn from St Augustine's Church, in Darlington, and an inquiry was launched, the situation has yet to be resolved.

Members of the congregation have written to the Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, Kevin Dunn, to protest at the lack of information they have received, and at the length of time Fr Higginbottom has been absent.

A packed prayer service was held on Sunday to show support for the priest. The congregation was told the service took place six months, two weeks and four days since his removal.

Fr Higginbottom left the parish indefinitely in December, after "information" was received against him.

Police and church authorities immediately launched an investigation, which has been described as uniquely complex and intricate.

But The Northern Echo revealed it was progressing extremely slowly and a conclusion was not in sight.

Neither Fr Higginbottom - who has been the parish priest since 1998 - nor members of the parish have been given full details of the reasons for his removal.

A parish meeting in March, attended by Bishop Dunn and Father Dennis Tindall - who, as diocese child and vulnerable adult protection officer, is heading the investigation - heard that details were not being released because it could prejudice the inquiry.

The letter, written by the church's Listening Group, says parishioners want to express "concern at the lack of information and length of time Fr Michael has been away from the parish".

It goes on to say the parish will "offer any support we can to Fr Michael and to express our desire for a swift and successful outcome".

One parishioner, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is a continuing thing, and people are saying this and that, speculating, wanting to know what's going on.

"This letter has been written to ask the bishop just that. It really doesn't seem fair what's happening to Fr Michael."