NORTHERN IRELAND
The Irish News
March 8, 2018
By Brendan Hughes
THE priest temporarily in charge of the Dromore diocese following the resignation of its bishop over the Fr Malachy Finegan scandal was involved in a parish service with the paedophile cleric – years after the Church learned of allegations against him.
Canon Liam Stevenson, parish priest of St Peter’s and St Paul’s in Lurgan, has taken responsibility for administration of the diocese following Dr John McAreavey’s resignation last week.
Dr McAreavey stood down after it emerged he celebrated Mass alongside Finegan in 2000 despite knowing he was a paedophile.
Finegan, who died in 2002, has been accused of sexual and physical abuse against boys on church premises and at St Colman’s College in Newry, where he was a teacher and later president. He was never questioned by police or prosecuted.
Canon Stevenson, Vicar General of the diocese, is also a former head of St Colman’s.
He and the diocese have not addressed questions about his former role, including when he first became aware of allegations against Finegan.
It has now emerged that Finegan took part in a service to mark Canon Stevenson moving to Seapatrick parish.
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