The Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon, has begun a Vatican investigation into the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
On behalf of the Dicastery of Bishops, McMahon pledged to investigate the “entire situation” of the diocese.
The archbishop is interviewing episcopal vicars, clergy, curial staff and whistleblowers in the diocese. Where appropriate, he will also speak to survivors of clergy abuse.
In a document outlining the review’s reference framework, McMahon says he will examine “the veracity of the accusations” leading to the resignation in December 2022 of Bishop Robert Byrne CO.
Reports are circulating of a sex party in clergy premises and a drag queen performing inside the cathedral during lockdown.
Questions have been raised over the presence in the diocese of Fr Tim Gardner OP, who in 2014 was convicted of making and possessing indecent images of children.
Archbishop McMahon says he wishes to “ascertain facts” and the “considered views” of local priests and people “rather than hearsay and speculation”.
He is keen to speak to local priests, saying “accusations” and “concerns” had been “raised around behaviours by Bishop Byrne, which led to a deterioration in the relationship with his presbyterium to the extent that it had almost completely broken down by the time of his resignation”.
McMahon, who is now the diocese’s apostolic administrator, is also examining “concerns” over the way Bishop Byrne “engaged with victims and survivors of sexual abuse by priests”.
Yet his remit will not cover safeguarding, as diocesan procedures are being explored by a separate investigation by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CssA).
McMahon, who will also investigate the diocesan synodal process, has sent out a survey to priests, deacons and curial staff.
An open invitation is being extended “to any priest or whistle blower” who wishes to meet him. An email address has also been provided for anyone who would prefer to share information with the archbishop without a face-to-face meeting.
The investigation is expected to end on 31 March 2023.