UNITED KINGDOM
Manchester Evening News
Canon Mortimer Stanley, 82, has been quizzed by police over alleged sex attacks on children over a 20-year period while he was parish priest at St Vincent de Paul Church, in Norden, Rochdale
Hundreds of parishioners packed into a Catholic church rocked by historical sexual abuse allegations to hear the Bishop of Salford’s response to the shock police probe.
Canon Mortimer Stanley, 82, has been quizzed by police over alleged sex attacks on children over a 20-year period while he was parish priest at St Vincent de Paul Church, in Norden, Rochdale.
He joined the church in the early seventies and retired to his native Ireland in 2002.
Three women accuse Catholic priest of sexually abusing them
Around 500 parishioners attended 11am mass at St Vincent’s, on Caldershaw Road, today – when a statement on behalf of Bishop Terence Brain was read out.
Child protection experts from Salford Diocese’s safeguarding commission were also on hand to talk to any member of the congregation following the service.
The statement, read out by safeguarding coordinator Fr Barry O’Sullivan, said: “This investigation is still on-going and in fairness to justice the diocese has avoided prejudicing the outcome.
“However, having listened to parishioners whose parishes have been affected by such allegations in the past, as your Bishop I wanted to communicate what action the diocese will take to support you as a parish and your parish priest Fr Paul Brindle through this very difficult time. …
Anyone with information should either call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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