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	Priest Cleared of Sexual Abuse Manchester Evening News March 1, 2008 http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1038954_priest_cleared_of_sexual_abuse_ A PRIEST has been cleared of sexually abusing two boys more than 15 years ago. John McCullough, 63, was found not guilty of 12 charges of child abuse by a jury at Bolton Crown Court. Father McCullough showed little emotion when the verdicts on each of the charges were read out. But well-wishers in the courtroom gave audible sighs of relief, and many patted him on the back and hugged him as he walked free from the dock. Asked what his reaction was afterwards Mr McCullough replied: "Righteous." He then said: "I feel extremely relieved." He declined to make any comment on his feelings for the two people whose allegations had brought him before the court. The alleged offences - 11 counts of indecent assault and one of gross indecency - were said to have happened during his time as a Church of England rector at Christ the King with Holy Trinity Church in Spring Street, Bury, between 1985 and 1995. Mr McCullough, who later became a Catholic priest and now lives in Essex, pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges. The priest, who has been on 'administrative leave' since a police investigation into the allegations began, admitted during his trial that one of the boys had regularly stayed at his vicarage in Bury. He also admitted that he had shared a twin bed hotel room with the youth on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. But he strenuously denied that he had assaulted the boy during his time as vicar. He said he had just wanted to help both be happy. During his trial Mr McCullough also said that one of his alleged victims, who claimed to have been abused between the ages of 11 and 14, had been 'very keen, very helpful and had a good sense of humour'. He said his motive in trying to help young boys was 'to see that they succeeded in being happy as far as possible'. Mr McCullough declined to comment on his immediate future after being cleared, except to say: "I'm now going home. I'm going to bed."
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