Church fracas goes to court

Three due to face court after altercation at church

TWO people aged in their 70s will be charged over their involvement in a fight at a church in Tasmania’s north.

Police say they plan to charge with common assault a man and woman aged 75 and 76 from Elizabeth Town over the fight at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church at Deloraine on Saturday night, March 30.

A 38-year-old man from Dunorlan will also be charged over the alleged assault on a 77-year-old woman and Catholic priest Fr Nicholas Rynne, who has since been removed as the Meander Valley parish administrator following a series of “disturbances” since his arrival in February.

THREE Tasmanians are due to be charged after a scuffle in a church involving three people in their 70s.

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.

Tasmania Police said a 76year-old Elizabeth Town woman, a 75-year-old Elizabeth Town man and a 38-yearold Dunorlan man would be charged with common assault via summons.

They are due to 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” — relating to theological and personal tensions — 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 yesterday.