The church which ordained former Speaker Peter Slipper as a priest has washed its hands of the problem-plagued MP, reports The Daily Telegraph.Father Michael Pope, leader of the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia (ACCA), said the "disgraceful" politician was "absolutely not" welcome despite claims to the contrary from a former archbishop.
"He is not a priest in good standing in our church," Fr Pope said. "I certainly don't want him back and I don't know anyone who does."
The Acting Vicar-General said Mr Slipper, now an Independent MP in the seat of Fisher, had never had a licence to practise as a parish priest.
"When it comes to the ordinance of priests, the person still remains a priest even when he has in fact been stripped of his ability to practise," he said.
"He's never been a parish priest, he will never be a parish priest and he certainly will never be accepted back into the ACCA."
Mr Slipper, 62, has been accused of sexually harassing his former media adviser James Ashby. He denies the accusations.
Former archbishop John Hepworth, who ordained Mr Slipper a priest and appointed him chancellor, resigned from the church in August.
Bishop Hepworth, Mr Slipper's long-time friend and religious mentor, is being investigated over alleged financial irregularities within the ACCA but has denied any wrongdoing.