Catholics of the diocese in the spotlight of a Vatican abuse inquiry were warned yesterday to brace themselves for a period of “pain and shame” as investigators establish the truth behind the shock resignation of their bishop.
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool said in a pastoral letter to the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle that he understood the feeling of “shock”, “bewilderment” and “anger” felt by many people at revelations in the media concerning the sudden departure in December of Bishop Robert Byrne.
The 66-year-old Oratorian stepped down almost a decade before he was due to retire, saying that the demands of his office were “too great a burden”.
It emerged last week, however, that an allegation of abuse made against him by a priest of another diocese has been referred to the police.
Newspapers have also reported that “sex parties” were held at cathedral house during a period of lockdown, though the bishop might have been unaware of them.
Reports also said that Bishop Byrne attempted to move Timothy Gardner into cathedral house even though the former Dominican priest was convicted in 2014 of making 5,005 images of child pornography.
Archbishop McMahon, who has been appointed apostolic administrator of Hexham and Newcastle, said in his letter that the diocese has entered “unsettling times”.
“I want to be clear that I do not underestimate the difficulties that we are in,” the archbishop said in the letter that was read out at all Masses in the diocese at the weekend.
“But equally I do not doubt God’s good grace, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the fellowship of those who will act in good faith and will seek unstintingly to do the right thing,” he said.
“The various investigations that are now underway which include an in-depth investigation into the events leading up to Bishop Robert’s resignation for the Holy See and a full review of safeguarding in the diocese conducted by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency will establish the facts, and what I who now lead the diocese need to do to make it safe, proactively protecting the vulnerable in doing so.
“In addition, I am also in close contact with our civil regulators, the Charity Commission, who will ensure that the diocese is acting in accord with its trust deed both in word and spirit.”
He continued: “Those most hurt, and doubly wounded this week through the stories that are circulating in the media, are the survivors and victims of abuse that has happened in our Church.
“They have truly suffered and continue to do so. We must bear true witness to them and what that abuse has meant in their lives, and in the lives of their family and friends. I would ask you to pray for them and think about their suffering through this period of investigation, as I determine what has actually happened, what should have happened and the resulting consequences.”
Archbishop McMahon acknowledged “the sorrow and pain” of the lay faithful and said he also wanted to address the priests who are “suffering along with your people”.
He said: “I urge you to stand up for what is right even if that may bring painful consequences. Over the next few months, we will all bear pain and shame in striving to uncover the truth. But if we keep Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life in our hearts, then we will arrive at a point where, as it says in the gospel today, we can ‘Rejoice and be glad’.”
His letter came less than two weeks after the Vatican’s Congregation of Bishops launched an investigation for “an in-depth report into the events leading up to Bishop Byrne’s resignation” and safeguarding officials began their own inquiry.
The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle has also referred itself to the Charity Commission.
The Vatican investigation will specifically examine the conduct of past and present clergy, volunteers and staff and also “focus on culture and governance arrangements around the safeguarding process”.
According to reports, the lockdown parties were organised by Canon Michael McCoy, the cathedral dean who took his own life in April 2021, aged 57, when he learned he was being investigated by Northumbria Police’s child and adult protection department over an historic allegation of child abuse.
Canon McCoy was installed as dean by Bishop Byrne in 2019, replacing the late Fr Dermott Donnelly, the brother of TV presenter Declan Donnelly.
At the time of his resignation, Bishop Byrne announced his intention to join the Oratorian Congregation in Oxford. He has not returned to the city, however, and is believed to be living in the south of England.
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