Fr Kennedy Swaratsingh resigns as priest

Fr Kennedy Swaratsingh, parish priest at St Patrick’s RC Church, Newtown, has resigned his official duties as parish priest and is now on official leave of absence for an unspecified period of time.

This was confirmed yesterday by a source close to Swaratsingh, who refused to reveal the reasons behind the resignation, only that it was personal. Swaratsingh will be replaced at St Patrick’s RC Church by Fr Henry Charles, current parish priest at Sacred Heart RC Church. The announcement was made by Fr Charles at Sunday morning mass at the Sacred Heart RC Church, who also revealed to the congregation that he would assume duties on December 21, at St Patrick’s.

When Newsday contacted Monsignor Christian Perriera, he confirmed that Swaratsingh had tendered his resignation to Archbishop Edward Gilbert asking to be relieved of duties from December 15. However, he was also unable to say whether Swaratsingh would be resigning from the priesthood, and directed our queries to Archbishop’s House.

Attempts to contact Archbishop Gilbert proved futile. His secretary said  the Archbishop would not be speaking to the media today. Fr Kennedy Swaratsingh entered the history books as the first and only chaplain thus far in the Defence Force to have worn battle fatigue and military garb, which is considered ceremonial wear, while conducting ministerial duties. He also became the public relations officer and the Welfare Officer of the Defence Force and was later promoted from Captain to Major.

Also known as the “Singing Priest,” Swaratsingh is now the human resources manager at Hi-Lo Food Stores. The controversial Roman Catholic priest  entered the limelight earlier this year when he was placed under investigation by Archbishop Edward Gilbert for allegations of sexual misconduct, as well as of issues of financial impropriety. He was later exonerated of all charges, including those of sexual misconduct.