I Betrayed My Husband, He Betrayed His Church

Jan 27 2008 By Charles Lavery

Exclusive

TO the yacht enthusiasts who saw her enjoying boat holidays with her partner she was known as "Mrs Creegan".

But the 62-year-old kept an incredible secret - her lover was really a priest and she was a married grandmother.

Monsignor Joseph Creegan's mistress has finally admitted their affair - which lasted more than 18 years - after being cruelly betrayed by him.

She claims the priest left her to buy a home with Anne Ogden, 48, who he counselled during her marriage split.

Heartbroken at being dumped for the younger woman, she confessed their sins of the flesh to his bishop on Friday - and demanded he be stripped of his ministry.

As well as admitting their affair to Bishop Vincent Logan, the mum-ofone has also told her husband.

He has stuck by her and the pair are trying to rebuild their marriage.

In a statement to the Sunday Mail, Bishop Logan said he had received "irrefutable proof" from the mistress of his monsignor's secret trysts.

She described her confession as one of the hardest things she has ever had to do.

She said: "He is taking advantage of a woman who does not know her own mind at the moment and who has just gone through a painful divorce. I wish they both were off the planet after what they have done to me.

"It makes me sick to my stomach to think how big a fool I have been all these years. Even when he started counselling Anne I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

"I knew he was forming a relationship with her and turned my head away from what I knew was the truth.

"He could charm the birds from the trees. It sounds daft but he has a charisma, something about him.

"He is very knowledgeable and, looking back, he is very controlling but he manages it in such a lovely understated way.

"He should not be allowed to call himself a priest. He is a controlling, horrible man. I wish Anne all the luck in the world because all he sees in her is the money."

Last week Creegan sent his dumped lover an email promising to pay a mobile phone bill and pledging to sort out her share in the yacht, moored on the west coast.

In reality he was attempting a damage limitation exercise.

Perhaps he was trying to ensure she kept secret her stolen overnight stays in the chapel house when he was in charge at St Peter & St Paul's RC Church in Dundee.

His mistress said: "He christened my grandchild. I knew as I sat there that it was not right but I was in love.

"What do you do? We spent almost 20 years sneaking around and then he does this to me?

"That is the measure of the man. We went on holidays abroad, to the USA, France and Rome. I would be with my husband and him and would sneak away for time with him.

"My husband was oblivious. He is such a good man, I cannot believe I could be so hurtful. We are trying to fix things up but it is difficult.

"How can I describe what it was like? Of course I had sex with him.

"I can't believe I have been so stupid. What a fool I have been to trust him. I betrayed those closest to me. So has he. He has betrayed his vows. I had no choice but to see his bishop knew. It was the hardest call of my life."

The monsignor and Anne Ogden were not available for comment. She is visiting relatives while he is in hiding.

Last night a source said: "This is a man who has caused a great deal of pain and hurt.

"He should have been a healer but has spent decades shattering lives.

"He was a career priest, a flash Harry who paraded around Dundee.

"Now the truth is finally out we shall see if his arrogance prevails."

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JOSEPH CREEGAN has a s45,000 stake in the home he bought with divorcee Anne Ogden.

We told last week how he was spending nightsat the s335,000 farmhouse at Balmerino Farm Steadings, nearNewport-on-Tay, Fife, bought with a loan in both their names.

Land Register records reveal how theyarranged a mortgage after Creegan guaranteed s45,000 of the purchaseprice. Last week he told bosses that he would not take any proceeds ifthe house was ever sold.

Creegan also has a s200,000 riverside flatin Dundee that was bought as a grace and favour home on his retiralfrom his parish duties last year.

He became close to Ogden after being askedto help advise the 48-year-old nurse and her husband on how to savetheir troubled marriage.

SUNDAY EMAIL

c.lavery@sundaymail.co.uk