A priest is set to quit his post after suffering a mental breakdown.

Father Pat McKelvie explained to yesterday's Mass at St. Michael's in Paget that he had been absent for the last six months while he had therapy for post traumatic stress caused by a an unhappy childhood.

He then said he was leaving the Island for further treatment which could take years, although he would like to return to the church when he been treated.

A printed statement left in the church aisles spoke of slanderous accusations made by parishioners and others over alcohol abuse.

The church hierarchy had stepped in and recommended the Father get treatment for his problems.

Father McKelvie's statement said: "They were rightfully concerned about my chronic depression, mood swings and repeated and increasing outbursts of anger.

"My psychological assessment indicated low-grade but chronic depression, addiction in several areas but namely, anger, masochism and self-hate.'' "I also suffer from obsessive compulsive traits, (perfectionism). Father McKelvie said his six-months' of therapy at St. Luke's Institute in Maryland had revealed deep-rooted problems that could take years to work through.

He said: "I am finally taking ownership of the fact that I was traumatised in many different ways as I was growing up.

"Becoming a priest and being and doing for others has been an attempt to `make' myself better and more lovable. I am just beginning to celebrate the goodness of me, my gifts and talents and the tremendous good I have done.'' The priest, from Ontario, Canada, continued: "I acknowledge that I am suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This will require many more months, (years), of therapy.'' Priest quits because of breakdown "I need to have individual and group therapy as well as many addictive groups such as co-dependency and emotions anonymous.

"I want to take this opportunity to apologise for all the hurt, pain and grief that I have caused you, the people of St. Michael's, the Bishop, the people of St. Theresa's Cathedral while I was Rector and the entire community of Bermuda.

"I learned in therapy that `Hurt People, hurt people'. I am very sorry that I have caused so many people so much pain and embarrassment.'' The congregation had burst into applause when Father McKelvie had said he hoped to return to St. Michael's. However his future is far from clear.

The Bishop of Hamilton Robert Kurtz said: "There is no indication of how long the treatment will take. I thought it would be six months.'' He said the church would have to decide whether to get in interim pastor while Father McKelvie gets treatment or replace him.

He hinted he would be keener to replace Father McKelvie and offer him an assignment that came up at one of the Island's six Catholic churches when he had recovered.

Bishop Kurtz said: "We are standing by him and with him and will help in any way we can. That's what we are here for.'' He added: "When you're in this situation you have to take the accusations seriously.

"We had to intervene to get some equilibrium in his life.'' HEALTH HTH