Hexham & Newcastle: Enquiries launched

St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle Image: ICN/JS

Source: Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle

Four inquiries have been launched to investigate events leading up to the resignation of the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Most Rev Robert Byrne last month. See: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/46103 . Archbishop Malcom McMahon of Liverpool took over as administrator of the diocese after Bishop Byrne resigned, saying the office had become "too great a burden".

Several newspapers have carried articles alleging that a 'sex party' took place in Newcastle cathedral premises during the Covid lockdown. None of the reports suggest that Bishop Byrne had any knowledge of these events.

The papal nuncio, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti called for a Vatican investigation. The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA), Charity Commission and the police have also launched enquiries.

The following statement was issued to The Sunday Times on 19 January 2023:

'The Diocese had previously invited the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) to conduct a review following the resignation of Bishop Byrne in December 2022. Diocesan Trustees have met and have had contact with the chief executive and representatives of the CSSA this week. They have discussed how the review, originally scheduled to happen in May 2023, will be undertaken and how the findings will be published. The review is now underway. Prior to Bishop Byrne's resignation in mid-December, Trustees were working with the Charity Commission, following their self-referral to that organisation. The Diocese will continue to work productively and swiftly with both organisations, learning where it needs to, not from rumours and misinformation, but from the facts and evidence provided. The Diocese remains fully committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and the ministry of the Church, and to providing assurance that its safeguarding procedures are appropriate and as they need to be.'

Archbishop McMahon issued the following letter on 19 January 2023:

'Dear Fathers, Deacons, Religious and Diocesan Colleagues, In my role as Apostolic Administrator with the full agreement of the other diocesan trustees, I have invited the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) to review diocesan safeguarding, and this work started on 19 January. The purpose of this review is outlined below, and taken from the CSSA Terms of Reference. You will see that there is also an email address and form for confidential feedback available under the Contact heading, below. There has been much speculation and heightened interest from the press and others regarding some of the issues here. The Diocese welcomes the CSSA's external scrutiny. Purpose of the Review The purpose of the Safeguarding Review is to audit and examine the culture, governance, processes and practice of safeguarding in the Dioceses of Hexham & Newcastle. The review will include all of the elements of a scheduled CSSA safeguarding audit, specifically how the eight National Safeguarding Standards are being met.

These elements are published on the CSSA website. In addition to these usual elements of an audit, and as commissioned by Archbishop McMahon, in the situation of the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle, the Safeguarding Review may include, but not be restricted to:

• Interviews with key stakeholders including clergy former and present / staff former and present / lay volunteers former and present / victims as appropriate.

• Case audits - current and past (including older than 12 months as appropriate)

• A focus on culture and governance arrangements around the safeguarding process

• Surveys and focus groups

• Liaison with other stakeholders carrying out parallel investigations including (not restricted to) other statutory and non-statutory agencies. This will include the Charity Commission.

• Consideration of any supplementary documentation as necessary.'

LINK

CSSA: www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk/