NZ-based priest removed from duty

A Catholic priest who moved from Australia to New Zealand a year ago has been removed from his duties at a Wellington parish after a police investigation.

Police have charged Aidan Kay, a priest at St Mary's Catholic Parish in Blenheim, with an offence following a complaint, the Catholic Archbishop of Wellington John Dew said in a statement on Sunday.

"As this case is due before the courts no further details will be discussed," he said.

Parishioners were informed about the situation at mass on Sunday.

The announcement was greeted with gasps and some parishioners cried, The Marlborough Express in NZ reported.

The 71-year-old priest is expected to be in court on Tuesday on an indecent assault charge, the newspaper reported.

Fr Kay was based in Hobart for five years and took up his post in New Zealand in February 2013.

Fr Kay who was born in New Zealand is a member of the Passionist religious order and worked in Australia for many years.