FROM H&N PARISHIONER ON BEHALF OF MANY OTHERS:
Good evening,
I’m part of the Hexham and Newcastle diocese and have been following the McCoy and Byrne stories since they broke. Can I say it doesn’t shock me at all. McCoy was my parish priest and I never got a good vibe from him. He faffed too much and would tell the congregation every week how they weren’t raising enough money for him…I mean the diocese.
I was just wondering if you had heard anything from the archbishops meeting with the priests from Thursday? I hope it won’t be covered up and swept under the carpet. I think the people of Hexham and Newcastle deserve to know. It annoys me the people who are burying their heads in the sand and don’t want to believe what actually went on.
Many thanks for raising issues and concerns. It means a lot.
Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle: Meeting with Archbishop Malcolm McMahon.
There is frustration among some priests regarding the meeting with Archbishop McMahon on Thursday 9th January. The Archbishop gave a summary of the various investigations stating that what he shared with priests at the meeting was confidential.
What is clear is that anyone can express concerns, questions or comments about the diocese to the investigation for the Vatican that is being lead on behalf of Bishop Malcolm by Mrs Carol Lawrence, the Chief Operation Officer of the Diocese of Shrewsbury. The investigation will be looking at all aspects of diocesan life , so anyone is welcome to contact the investigation.
Carol Lawrence said:
I would be keen to hear from anyone who would like to share with me their experiences and views. In line with the Terms of Reference individual meetings with stakeholders will be arranged over the coming weeks, and I should like to begin by extending the offer of a meeting to any priest who would like to talk to me. I am happy to meet preferably in person, or to speak on the phone, or indeed to receive correspondence from you by email or by post.
You can contact me by email at carolHNinvestigation@gmail.com or by telephone on 07930 891327 to share information with me or to request to meet, or write to me at Diocese of Shrewsbury, 2 Park Road South, Prenton CH43 4UX. Please mark any postal correspondence ‘Private and Confidential’.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 