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	Parish Priest Arrested over Child Sex Abuse By Brenda Hickman Evening Chronicle December 11, 2008 http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2008/12/11/ parish-priest-arrested-over-child-sex-abuse-72703-22455203/ A PARISH priest is today facing charges of historic child sex abuse. Father David Taylor, 59, had been arrested at the centre of an indecency probe with allegations dating back to the 1980s. The Chronicle revealed in March he had been removed without prejudice as priest in charge at St Peter's Church, Low Fell, Gateshead. Shocked parishioners were told little of the investigation at the time. Father Taylor was charged yesterday with five counts of indecent assault relating to offences in the Seaham and Holy Island areas. The Chronicle understands the offences relate to three young boys. A Durham Police spokesman said: "A 59- year-old man has been charged with five offences of indecent assault going back to the 1980s and has been bailed to appear before Peterlee magistrates later this month." The priest worked at several parishes within the Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. 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 from pneumonia. The diocese fully co- operated with the authorities. Fr Dennis Tindall, child protection co-ordinator for the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, said: "Father David Taylor was asked to stand down from his post of parish priest of St Peter's Low Fell and placed on administrative leave on February 22, as a result of information received by the Church authorities regarding child protection matters. "These matters have now been fully investigated by the police with the full cooperation of the Church's safeguarding Office which always work closely with the police and other statutory authorities to ensure the safety of our children and young people. "The inquiry has resulted in five charges of indecent assault being brought against Father Taylor whist he was a priest in the 1980's "He is due to appear at court and he will remain on administrative leave." The priest added: "Church communities must be places where everyone can feel safe. Protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults must always be a priority. Harming children is unacceptable. "Since 1994 the Catholic Church has worked extensively to make our communities safe. "Historic cases like this, cause us great regret. We can only act on what we know. Any concerns or anxieties can be passed to our safeguarding team or the statutory authorities and they will be thoroughly investigated as in this case. "We will continue to ensure that our arrangements for protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults are fully carried out to ensure that our Church communities are places where everyone can be safe." It is understood information was passed on to the Church and senior clerics acted to remove Fr Taylor as a matter of procedure. 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.
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