Catholics of the diocese in the spotlight of a Vatican abuse inquiry were warned yesterday to brace themselves for a period of “pain and shame” as investigators establish the truth behind the shock resignation of their bishop.
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool said in a pastoral letter to the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle that he understood the feeling of “shock”, “bewilderment” and “anger” felt by many people at revelations in the media concerning the sudden departure in December of Bishop Robert Byrne.
