(RNS) A Catholic priest in Northern Ireland has been caught on camera snorting what appears to be cocaine in a room decked out with Nazi memorabilia.
The Rev. Stephen Crossan appears to snort the substance through a 10-pound bank note. Northern Ireland police are investigating the incident.
The BBC report was based on an article published Sunday (Feb. 28) by the tabloid newspaper The Irish Sun, which said the video footage was shot in July 2015 in the priest’s home Banbridge, located in County Down.
Partygoers told the newspaper they came across Nazi memorabilia in Crossan’s home, including badges, hats and flags.
“At one point Stephen put on a cap and did the Nazi salute but he was just messing around,” a source said. The priest responded to the accusation by stating he collected historical items from various countries.
Crossan reportedly admitted to The Irish Sun that he took cocaine, stating he does not have a problem with drugs. He said he was on medical leave for depression at the time the video was shot and has since left the church, although the newspaper reported that the parish supported him.
(Rosie Scammell is an RNS correspondent based in Rome)