An interim review of safeguarding in leadership, governance, ministry and culture, which was published today by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, praised progress achieved since the last review of 2023.
It reported that:
- A comprehensive Safeguarding Action Plan is in place and is progressing well;
- There is strong evidence of the developing culture of safeguarding within the Diocese, with better integration of curial departments, leadership and parish committees, and subsidiary charities
- Working relationships within the Diocese are more effective, inclusive, and harmonious, and there is support and resources available to help people discharge their safeguarding duties effectively
- The Diocese was seen to be working in a transparent manner in safeguarding, and striving to welcome, engage with, and listen to those who report having been harmed within the Diocese.
The summary of the report complimented the strong leadership and public commitment to effective safeguarding of Bishop Stephen Wright of Hexham and Newcastle (pictured), saying he has “empowered others to make their own positive contributions to promoting a safer environment within the Diocese”
The report highlighted that effective leadership support is critical to the integrity of safeguarding practice and an embedding of a culture of safeguarding.
Bishop Wright said: “On behalf of our diocesan family, I welcome this very positive Interim audit on the Safeguarding Culture in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
“The audit recognises the work and necessary improvements made since the last audit report published in the summer of 2023.”
The Bishop added: “Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone. I and all leaders are committed to embed best safeguarding practice in all areas of diocesan life. I thank everybody for their dedication to safeguard the vulnerable.
“We look forward to the fuller audit by the CSSA in November.”
The previous Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Robert Byrne resigned in 2022 following “a succession of errors of judgement”, according to Vatican investigation carried out last year.
The investigation identified four key issues which unsettled the leadership of the diocese and prompted Bishop Byrne to stop down almost a decade before he was due to retire on the grounds that the demands of his office were “too great a burden”.
They were the Covid pandemic; the purchase of a new Bishop’s House in 2020; the suicide of Canon Michael McCoy, the cathedral dean, in April 2021 and Bishop Byrne’s friendship with a priest convicted in 2014 in connection with possessing images of child pornography.
The report was very critical of Bishop Byrne’s appointment of Canon McCoy to a high profile position because the priest had a “safeguarding record”.
“Instead, Bishop Byrne could have paid greater heed to ensuring that Michael McCoy was appropriately managed given the safeguarding concerns which had been raised,” said Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool, who led the investigation.
Canon McCoy took his own life, 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.
He had been installed as dean by Bishop Byrne in 2019, replacing the late Fr Dermott Donnelly, the brother of TV presenter Declan Donnelly.
Bishop Wright, who had served previously as an Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, made safeguarding his priority when he was installed as successor to Bishop Byrne in July 2023.