A PRIEST who was cleared of sexual allegations involving a schoolgirl will be investigated by the Catholic church. 

John Sweeney, 45, had his charges dropped and was fully acquitted today at Glasgow Sheriff Court, as we reported earlier. 

The former priest at St Maria Goretti Roman Catholic Church in Cranhill walked free from court after his accuser's lawyer withdrew the charges. 

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Sheriff Andrew Cubie acquitted the former priest, of the city's Royston, after a 30-minute break in the proceedings, following the accuser's statement that Mr Sweeney was not formally part of the programme where he was alleged to have kissed and cuddled the girl while she was under the age of 18. 

We can now reveal he was suspended by the Archdiocese of Glasgow when the allegations were first made. 

He has not ministered since he was arrested and will now be subjected to canonical proceedings by the local religious authority. 

A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Glasgow said: "The Archdiocese notes the court’s decision not to proceed with the trial of Father Sweeney and acknowledges the determination that no legal offence has been committed.

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"However, given the nature of the original allegations which led to the criminal prosecution, the Archdiocese of Glasgow will now continue its own canonical process, which was put on hold during the civil proceedings.

"Father Sweeney was suspended from priestly ministry at the time of his arrest and remains suspended. 

"The Archdiocese co-operated with the police throughout this investigation and operates a zero-tolerance policy for any form of inappropriate or abusive behaviour involving young people or vulnerable adults.

"We would encourage anyone who has been affected by this or any similar events to contact us for support".