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	Priest Involved in Child Abuse Investigation Northern Echo March 3, 2008 http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.2088377.0.priest_involved_in_child_abuse_investigation.php A PARISH priest has been removed from his church as he faces a child abuse probe. Father David Taylor, 59, has left a stunned congregation behind while his past is investigated by church chiefs. The priest has left St Peter's Church, Low Fell, Gateshead, while the authorities "assess information." The priest, who has worked at several parishes within the Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, has not been arrested. The removal from his post came after discussions with other agencies over child protection issues and risk assessment. An announcement was made by Canon Seamus Cunningham, who was standing in for Bishop Kevin Dunn, who died over the weekend after being treated for pneumonia. The nature of the allegation has not been disclosed. The diocese is co-operating fully with the authorities. Father Dennis Tindall, child protection co-ordinator for the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, said: "Following information in relation to child protection matters received by Church authorities, Father David Taylor has been asked, without prejudice, to stand down from his post as parish priest of St Peter's, Low Fell, while the matter is fully investigated and resolved with the help of statutory authorities. "This is standard procedure within the Church in common with many other organisations and professions." Police are not involved at this stage, but it is understood information has been passed on to the Church which has to be assessed. It is understood Church leaders acted to remove Father Taylor as a matter of procedure. The allegation is said to relate to a complaint involving the clergyman dating back several years and unconnected to his position at St Peter's parish, where he has been for six years. It is thought the authorities have been initially liaising with Durham Police. Fr Taylor was ordained in 1977 and his first appointment was at St Anthony's, Walker, where he remained until 1981. From there he went to St Mary's, Seaham, for eight years. Then from 1989 to 1991 he was at St Joseph's, Sunderland, followed by a post at St John's, Billingham, Teesside. He became parish priest at St Peter's, Kells Lane, Low Fell, in 2002. As parish priest at St Peter's, Fr Taylor also had responsibility for the smaller family parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Millway, Gateshead. Last year, he hit the headlines when he became the victim of a con man. In January he told how he was duped by the crook who stole 500 in donations given to his church. David Clee was jailed for two years and Fr Taylor said he hoped the thief would use the time to change his ways. Heron addict Clee went to St Peter's presbytery and told Father Taylor he needed an urgent lift to the University Hospital of North Durham, where his mother had just been taken. The clergyman gave him 20 for the journey - but Clee also took 500 in donation money from a drawer. The 35-year-old, of no fixed address, admitted charges of burglary, theft and drug possession and asked for other offences of deception to be taken into consideration. Fr Taylor said at the time: "I take people on face value, especially when they are expressing distress. He was very plausible. "I hope his time in jail will give him an opportunity to think about his life and make a new start."
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