A Catholic priest , suspended after a Mail on Sunday probe found he was in a sham ‘ gay marriage ’ with a Pakistani immigrant , has been reinstated . Father Donald Minchew , 67 , was removed from his ministry a year ago after confessing that he entered the civil partnership in 2008 to help the family friend obtain a British passport . But Church superiors have revealed his partnership has been dissolved and they have been assured the Home Office no longer wants to pursue the matter . Return : Father Minchew has been reinstated by church superiors after his civil partnership was dissolved . In a letter to parishioners last week , prelate Monsignor Keith Newton said he had lifted Fr Minchew ’ s suspension ‘ after much prayer and discussion ’ . The Home Office refused to comment . It is not known what happened to Fr Minchew ’ s ex partner , Mustajab Hussain , 33 . Confronted last year , Fr Minchew , said : ‘ You are talking to a ruined man . I am finished. ’ Fr Minchew , who had been based at St Mary ’ s Church , Croydon , could not be reached for comment . Father Minchew had been based at St Mary ’ s Church , Croydon , pictured , before he was suspended . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article .
Father Fr Minchew , 67 , suspended after sham 'gay marriage ' exposed . Catholic priest has now been reinstated by Church superiors . Comes after civil partnership with a Pakistani immigrant has been dissolved .