A Catholic priest in Cardiff has been suspended from ministry after admitting to posting threatening and racist messages in an online neo-Nazi chatroom.

Fr Mark Rowles, 57, who serves at St John Lloyd Catholic Church in Rumney, is under investigation by the Church as it reviews his actions.

Rowles used the pseudonym “skinheadlad1488” in a Telegram group called Aryan Reich Killers.

Messages attributed to him included calls to “bomb mosques” and suggestions that people should “all be strung up or shot.”

At Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, Rowles pleaded guilty to three counts of sending menacing or offensive messages in May and June 2024.

He was handed a 12-month community order, required to complete 150 hours of community service, pay £199 in court costs, and is bound by a three-year criminal behaviour order.

Prosecutors highlighted the hateful nature of his posts, which included calls for violent action against people of different races and religions.

During police interviews, Rowles claimed he was not racist and said he joined the online groups out of loneliness and a personal “role play” interest.

The Catholic Church in Wales confirmed that Rowles has been suspended from active ministry while a full review is conducted.

Church officials emphasised that the institution upholds Christian teachings of respect, justice, and the dignity of every person, and condemned any form of hate or violence.