A Scottish minister has been suspended from his church after his wife reportedly accused him of having an affair in front of stunned parishioners.
The Rev. Edward Lyons, 48, is now facing a misconduct investigation following the dramatic incident at Penninghame St John’s Parish Church in Newton Stewart, Scotland.
According to reports, Lyons’ wife, Caroline, 45, allegedly confronted him and claimed he had been cheating on her with a member of the congregation.
The accusation reportedly left churchgoers stunned and quickly became the talk of the local community.
“Everybody is talking about it,” a source told The Scottish Sun. “Edward was very popular and highly thought of so these allegations have come as a complete and utter shock.”
The source described Lyons as a modern, unconventional minister known for his longer hair, beard, electric guitar playing, karate and love of riding a motorcycle or bike.
But the allegations have cast a very different light on the church leader.
“His wife said he had been cheating on her with a senior member of the flock and it looks like she has booted him out,” the source claimed.
The insider also alleged that Lyons has since been seen publicly with the woman at the center of the accusations.
“Edward appears to be staying with the new woman and they’ve been seen down at the supermarket,” the source said.
The Church of Scotland confirmed that Lyons has been suspended while officials investigate.
“Rev Lyons has been administratively suspended from his role and is subject to disciplinary proceedings under Church law,” a spokesperson said.
The church added that it would be inappropriate to comment further while the proceedings are underway.
Lyons’ personal story had long been featured prominently on the church’s website.
Born and raised in Glasgow, he reportedly studied biochemistry at Strathclyde University and considered himself an atheist before a Christmas Eve church service changed the course of his life.
He later converted to Christianity and said he felt called to enter the ministry during his third year at university.
Lyons was accepted as a candidate for the Church of Scotland ministry in 2000 and went on to study theology at the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh.
During his religious studies, he met Caroline while participating in a youth mission week.
He later became a probationer at St Ninians in Stirling before being selected to lead Penninghame St John’s.
Lyons preached to the congregation as the sole nominee for the position on Christmas Eve 2006 and was formally ordained in February 2007.
Sources reportedly said Caroline raised her suspicions just days after the couple’s anniversary, claiming her husband had become involved with a longtime parishioner who had played an active role in church events.
The allegations have not been proven, and Lyons is currently facing disciplinary proceedings rather than any criminal charges.
For now, the popular minister’s future with the church remains uncertain as the investigation continues.
Pictures, please, and full statement of what’s really going on. WHY would he be looking, is there an underlying cause ?
A wife’s accusations can be damning, BUT show proof, please.
Something like this is NEVER totally the fault on either party alone.