FEATUREDSPIRITUALITY

A “SEX PARTY” WAS HOSTED AT THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. MARY IN NEWCASTLE 

By gcn, Nicole Lee

THE VATICAN IS LOOKING INTO ALLEGED CLAIMS THAT A “SEX PARTY” WAS HOSTED AT THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. MARY IN NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE IN PRIEST MICHAEL MCCOY’S LIVING QUARTERS ADJACENT TO THE CATHEDRAL WHILE THE PUBLIC WAS NOT ALLOWED TO COME AND WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE CATHEDRAL DURING THE CORONAVIRUS LOCK-DOWN

A British cathedral is currently under investigation by the Vatican following rumours of an alleged “sex party” hosted on church property during the pandemic lock-down.

Multiple churchgoers shared that in 2021, Father Michael McCoy, then dean of St. Mary’s Newcastle Cathedral, invited them to attend an event in his living quarters adjacent to the cathedral.

The church sex party was organised during lock-down while public gatherings were not allowed.

The case is being investigated by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) who is tasked at investigating all reported abuses, alleged abuses, and concerns that have come to light since the resignation of former Bishop Robert Byrne in December 2022.

Upon leaving his post, Byrne told worshippers that his position had become “too great a burden.” In a letter to the clergy he shared, “My own discernment has caused me to recognise that I now feel unable to continue serving the people of the diocese in the way that I would wish.”

The Vatican has emphasised that there is no indication that Byrne was involved with the alleged sex party at Newcastle St Mary’s Cathedral, however.