Three Tasmanians to be charged after alleged assault of Catholic priest Fr Nicholas Rynne

Three Tasmanians are due to be charged following a church fight involving three people in their seventies.

Fr Nicholas Rynne, a Catholic priest allegedly assaulted at a northern Tasmanian church, was removed as Meander Valley parish administrator following “disturbances” in the parish since his arrival in February. Picture: FACEBOOK

THREE Tasmanians are due to be charged following a church fight involving three people in their seventies.

The incident occurred at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Deloraine in the state’s North about 6.50pm on March 30.

A 38-year-old Westbury man and a 77-year-old Deloraine woman were allegedly pushed and grabbed by three others during the altercation which prompted police to be called to the church.

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Police said a 76-year-old Elizabeth Town woman, a 75-year-old Elizabeth Town man and a 38-year-old Dunorian man will be charged with common assault via summons and will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.

Police said no injuries were sustained at the time of the altercation.

Catholic priest Fr Nicholas Rynne, one of the alleged victims, was removed as Meander Valley parish administrator following “disturbances” in the parish since his arrival in February. He is on leave and no decision has been made about his future.

Since his removal an online petition has been launched calling on Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous to reinstate Fr Rynne.

“Catholics of the world” are being asked to add their names to the petition that had received more than 1400 signatures by this morning.

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