Vatican probe launched into 'lockdown sex party' hosted at UK cathedral
The Vatican has launched a probe into an alleged lockdown 'sex party' at a cathedral.
The Roman Catholic church is reportedly looking into an alleged incident which will form part of an inquiry into Bishop of Hexham, Robert Byrne.
An investigation is being led by Archbishop of Liverpool, who has been asked for 'an in-depth report' into the events leading up to Bishop Byrne's resignation.
The alleged events at Newcastle Cathedral were reported in The Sunday Times, but there is no suggestion Bishop Byrne was at the alleged party or aware of it.
During lockdown, Father Michael McCoy, who was the dean at the time, is said to have asked some worshippers if they would like to go to a 'sex party' inside a property which is attached to St Mary's Cathedral.
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Canon Michael McCoy was found dead at his apartment in Newcastle in April 2021 (Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle WS)A source told the newspaper: "A number of complaints were made by individuals within the diocese after information came to light about a sex party taking place in the priests' living quarters attached to Newcastle cathedral."
ChronicleLive reports a Hexham and Newcastle diocese spokesman said: "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.”
Canon Michael McCoy, 57, was found dead at his apartment in Newcastle in April 2021.
He is believed to have taken his own life days after learning police were investigating him over a 'historic allegation'.
Officers visited him and were told that a historic allegation had been made against him and he would be invited for a voluntary interview at some stage.
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Detective Sergeant Julie Beattie, of Northumbria Police's child and adult protection department, said Mr McCoy was 'upset' but would seek his own support from friends and colleagues with no concerns raised about his wellbeing.
Mr McCoy voluntarily withdrew from his ministry in the cathedral and moved into an Airbnb.
On April 10 a man went Mr McCoy's apartment 'as part of the provision of support for him' and was concerned when he did not get an answer.
The concierge service helped him gain access to the apartment, where Mr McCoy was found dead.
Mr McCoy did not leave a note, his mobile phone and tablet had been factory reset and nothing could be retrieved from them.
A professional standards investigation by Northumbria Police after his death 'found no concerns and no missed opportunities to safeguard him further'.
An investigation by the diocese concluded there was nothing 'that could or should have been done differently' to prevent Mr McCoy's death, and there were no concerns he was a risk to himself.
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