“I WANK I WATCH PORN AND I’M CONSTANTLY HORNY”
RECENTLY ORDAINED FATHER JOHN PAUL LYTTLE OF PORTSMOUTH DIOCESE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM MINISTRY AFTER REPORTS OF SCANDALS AT THE CHURCH OF THE ENGLISH MARTYRS IN READING, BERKSHIRE.
A former altar boy and the current altar boy organiser has complained to the bishop of Portsmouth, Philip Egan that Fr. Lyttle attempted to seduce him in the presbytery after dinner and wine.
The complainant has also reported the incident to the police who have interviewed Fr. Lyttle.
A separate complaint has been made about Fr. Lyttle distributing photographs of his genetalia on a gay dating site.
The dating site pictures were sent to all the Catholic parishes in Reading by an anonymous source.
The first complaint was the subject of a report by the Portsmouth Safeguarding Officer, Angela McGrory.
AB – COMPLAINANT
MD – FATHER MICHAEL DENNEHY PP VG READING
JP – FATHER JOHN PAUL LYTTLE
EM – ENGLISH MARTYRS
ANGELA MC GRORY REPORT
Monday 20th May 2019 I was visited in the safeguarding office by a male – this male AB is 28 years old and is a police officer by profession.
I have known AB since 2011 when he travelled as part of the Diocesan Group to WYD in Madrid, AB stepped up as a group leader and a first aider on that pilgrimage although had initially registered as an Over 18 Pilgrim.
AB had requested a meeting with me to discuss a safeguarding issue.
***
Friday 25th January 2019
AB was informed that Fr Michael Dennehy was not happy with his performance/ progression of the Altar Servers in English Martyrs Parish.
Sunday 27th January 2019
AB emailed Fr. Michael Dennehy and Fr. JP Lyttle that he is taking time out due to this comment and feels hurt because if they had a problem they should speak to AB directly.
Thursday 7th Feb 2019
Fr JP Lyttle invites AB over to the presbytery for a catch up due to AB not being at church.
***
Re Fr Michael Dennehy
AB first discussed how he and his mother have been active parishioners at English Martyrs, Reading for nearly 20 years. AB has been Altar Serving since 2006 (mostly Sunday 9:30 & 11:30 masses) and recently been the Master of Ceremonies in the parish and also organising a Youth Christmas party with no support from other parishioners/ priests.
AB’s mother has been involved in the being the readers co-ordinator, choir, SVP, being a welcomer and organising Tea/ Coffee after mass to help raise money for the construction works in the Parish.
Sunday 17th March 2019
MD was very distant in the Sacristy and was very snappy with AB and an Altar Server, that Altar Server asked AB what was wrong with MD to which AB replied “I don’t know but he has most probably has a lot on his mind so give him some space and I will do the same.”
Just before the 11:30 AB asked Fr. JP Lyttle (JP) for clarification as to what was wrong with MD as it effecting/ making some of the servers feel uncomfortable in the sacristy before Mass and AB thought he had done something wrong.
JP responded no, on that occasion it was his fault as he explained MD was annoyed at him as he had failed to return to Church yesterday (Saturday 16th in the evening) as expected to hear confessions because he was out drinking in Reading town centre.
AB thought this was not a good admission by a newly ordained priest that has come straight from the Cathedral but at least it wasn’t him that MD was annoyed at.
***
Saturday 23rd March 2019 (text messages between AB & MD)
09:54 hours from Fr Michael Dennehy (MD ) saying “ are you able to meet JP and I today regarding the role of MC and altar serving? Would 3pm be OK? You are welcome to bring someone with you. Fr. Michael.”
10:31 AB replied “I cant today – I am on a bike ride. Whats on the agenda?”
10:40 MD wrote “The role of MC and altar serving. Tomorrow afternoon?”
10:51 AB replied “I might be able to do tonight around 8pm. Can you itemise what you will be bring up during this meeting to allow me time to prepare.. please”
12:09 MD wrote “ The current arrangements are not working.”
13:30 AB replied “ tonight 8 o’clock will be better for me I wont have time after Mass tomorrow please can you send me an itemised agenda of what you want to be discussed beforehand that be great.”
15:26 MD wrote “ 8pm is fine. The only item is the failure to address shortcomings already identified in altar serving and inadequate preparation of the liturgies in the parish.”
16:08 AB replied “see you at 8.”
AB attended English Martyrs at 8pm on Saturday 23rd March 2019 with his mother. Fr JP Lyttle was also present in the meeting.
When this meeting started MD asked AB what is this all about to which AB was confused, MD went on to say that AB is giving off a lot of animosity towards him to which MD turned towards JP and said that JP has witnessed it. AB asked when and how?,
AB also mentioned to MD that there is no animosity at all, AB reminded MD that he asked if MD was available to meet up for a beer? However MD had given up alcohol for lent. AB asked MD if there was animosity then why would he invite MD out for a drink?? AB asked JP for examples, of when this animosity occurred that he witnessed, JP could not provide any evidence for this.
MD had indicated he was not happy with the altar servers and told AB that he had failed his ministry and failed the Altar Servers. MD was very aggressive, leaning forward in his chair, pointing with his pen and very abrupt.
This was very alarming for AB and his mother. AB asked MD why he hadn’t responded to any emails that AB had sent and had a list of times and dates when AB sent the emails – which was from January 2019. MD had no reply. MD stated that he was sick of being the Altar Server, Sacristan and Priest, he went on to say that he is fed up of setting up for mass, having servers that do not know what they are doing and then said in relation to children that serve “If I am honest they are quite frankly crap!”
MD saying this about 8 year olds up is completely out of order. MD went back and said why is he having to set up for mass? AB replied “I get here at church at 8:30-8:45 before the 9:30am Mass to set up and everything is done. What time do you want me to get here? I cant get here any earlier otherwise I will be sleeping here the night before.”
The meeting finished at approximately 8:45pm.
AB said to me that the behaviour of MD in this meeting was completely unnecessary and would not expect that from a Priest & Vicar General especially when AB is volunteering and has given up every possible weekend to be there, put his personal life on the back foot as this potentially could be a vocation that he wants to go into.
AB’s mother who was very involved in the parish has not returned to that Church since she thought that MD behaved in a way in which she cannot accept that priest would do and that he was bullying her son.
Especially when AB & Mother had catered for both of them for dinner. AB felt really aggrieved by this as he waited in the car park of EM for 2 hours when Fr. George passed to make sure MD was okay when he arrived back at EM.
AB feels this behaviour is not acceptable to a young volunteer in the parish, even if not performing to the standard expected and MD not happy with him this should have been shared with him (and had amble opportunities) in the spirit of formation and cooperation, not as an angry, unprofessional & offensive outburst.
Saturday 13th April 2019
Altar Servers practise at English Martyrs MD very briefly said that you and quickly moved on. when AB was saying goodbye to the servers at the end of the practise, there was no sign of both MD & JP. This felt very upsetting after all the time and effort AB has put in over the years.
Sunday 14th April 2019
ABs last day as Master of Ceremonies and MD did not even say thank you for all the work, effort and ignored AB all morning. Did not even bother to say or show any gratification and this made AB feel that everything he has done in the parish for the Altar Servers and 20 years of being apart of that community is all worthless. This is completely unacceptable from a Parish Priest/ Vicar General.
***
Re: Fr JP Lyttle
Since JP arrived in the Parish AB has felt the need to challenge JP on how he interacts with some of the servers.
One instance when JP was not happy with the servers he spoke to them in the middle of mass over the microphone and that made the young servers feel extremely small and very embarrassed.
More recently AB and JP have been getting on and on occasions had a drink together.
Thursday 7th of February 2019 Fr JP invited AB to the presbytery telling him on a Whatsapp call at that MD would not be home. AB was travelling back from working away so it depended what time he arrived back home. Due to AB not being at church for a couple of weeks due to the comment made by a parishioner, ABs mother said “go and have a chat to Fr. JP and talk things through.” That was the reason why AB then attended to presbytery at English Martyrs. AB arrived at English Martyrs at 8:02pm.
JP cooked dinner, Salmon and veg. After dinner JP suggested that they go upstairs in his personal lounge as its more comfortable. AB mentioned that JP’s lounge has two leather bucket type seats to the left of the door. 1st bucket seat is a single seat where JP was sitting and there is a coffee table that is in the middle of the 2nd bucket seat which has room for two people. The pair consumed a lot of wine – AC says 3 bottles.
During their conversation AB mentioned that he had considered the priesthood at times but did not feel that he would not be accepted. JP kept insisting AB to tell him why he did not feel he would be accepted.
AB described this as very intense with JP telling him to hold his hand and look at him. JP went on to say we are normal and JP went on to say “I wank and I watch porn, I am constantly horny’
AB feels hindsight that this statement was said to make it ok for him to say whatever he wanted to, although AB was shocked at a priest making such a statement to a parishioner.
At roughly 11:40pm (AB knows this time as mother text him) after saying this JP moved from the seat where he has been sitting all evening and sat next to him on the left hand side. JP repeatedly said “I think you are amazing.” And after the third time of saying this JP placed his right four fingers on AB’s left thigh roughly in the middle but towards to outside of his leg.
JP moved his hand briefly when AB moved his thigh away then placed it back in the same position on AB’s left thigh.
AB believes he was “testing the waters.” JP then kept saying that he should stay the night, eventually saying that they had a spare room. AB said no as mother is collecting him and is on her way.
AB texted his mother twice to pick him up and told JP that AB’s mother is on her way. As AB was walking down the stairs JP followed behind still encouraging AB to stay the night.
When AB was at the bottom of the stairs JP was on the landing half way down, and fell into the side table knocking an ornament on the top then said “tell your mum, the parish priest says stay and she will let you.”
AB looked at him in a strange way after this comment and JP replied “well not the parish priest but you know what I mean.” AB laughed this off said “goodnight” and left. ACBs mother had not arrived so AB started walking up the road.
***
AB considers Fr. Jon Paul Lyttle’s behaviour predatory and it raises serious causes for concern in how he would behave with younger/ vulnerable men in a similar situation especially with his role within the Royal Berkshire Hospital as the Catholic Chaplin.
AB reported JP to Berkshire hospital and schools.
PAT SAYS
When Portsmouth refused to properly engage with AB he contacted me.
I emailed Safeguarding:
Dear Sir/Madam
I have been sent a copy of the report, composed by Angela McGrory, into the complaint of AB against Fr. John Paul Lyttle of English Martyrs Reading – a complaint that says that Fr. Lyttle tried to seduce a parishioner who happens to be police officer.
I am further informed that others complaints against Fr Lyttle have been received with regard to him distributing naked pictures of his gentalia on the internet.
I want to ask for a statement clarifying
1. What is the diocese’s response to these complaints?
2. Is the diocese, Fr Lyttle and the PP VG of English Martyrs willing to give the victim a written apology?
+ Pat Buckley
I received the following reply
Thank you for your email received via safeguarding@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk raising this concern re Father JP Lyttle.
This is to acknowledge safe receipt.
Angela McGrory no longer works for the Diocese of Portsmouth. Ruth Attfield is our new Safeguarding Coordinator.
Ruth will be able to look into this and come back to you re the points raised below.
Thank you and kind regards
Soraya
John Paul Lyttle has a long history of unfortunate incidents.
Fr James Donaghy, the convicted paedophile, tried to seduce JP when he was a seminarian in Down and Connor.
Reports of JP in the Belfast seminary.
JP left Down and Connor and joined Portsmouth diocese.
Strange goings on in Oscott seminary.
Removal from Oscott by Bishop Hollis of Portsmouth.
Spent 6 months with the Franciscans in Donegal.
Then went to Africa.
Suffered head injuries when he fell from an upper story window while residing with a Fr Ray Lyons in London.
Suddenly reappeared in Portsmouth.
Suddenly ordained on a Friday evening by Philip Egan bishop of Portsmouth.
Curate at cathedral.
Moved to Reading.
Now problems in Reading.
What is going on and who is everybody involved.
EMAIL TO JOHN PAUL
Dear John Paul,
I have been sent a copy of a report into the interactions between you and AB in Reading.
I wanted to ask you for your side of the story.
Sincerely,
+ Pat Buckley
07488 374364
Egan of Portsmouth is an arrogant old fart.
THINGS ARE NOT RIGHT IN THE PORTSMOUTH DIOCESE!!!
******
I believe there are other victims out there involved in these goings on. People can contact me at
bishopbuckley1@outlook.com
07488 374364
BISHOP EGAN’S SECRETARY
pcarroll@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 