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	Bishop Apologises over Abuse Claims Chichester Observer March 16, 2011 http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/bishop_apologises_over_abuse_claims_1_2501897 The Bishop of Salford has apologised following claims that a former rector at a Catholic school sexually and mentally abused more than 50 ex-pupils. The Right Rev Terence Brain issued the apology over claims that Monsignor Thomas Duggan abused schoolboys during his time at St Bede's College in Whalley Range, Manchester. He issued a statement saying he is "shocked and saddened" by the complaints from the 57 former pupils, which have been made against Monsignor Duggan, who died in 1968. The allegations are understood to include claims that the rector ordered boys to strip before caning and fondling them during a prolonged campaign of abuse. Bishop Brain said: "I am shocked and saddened by the complaints from some former pupils of St Bede's College which have been brought to the attention of our Safeguarding Commission. "The complaints have been made against the late Monsignor Thomas Duggan and relate to the period of time from the 1950s to the mid-1960s, when St Bede's was a diocesan school. "Although it is not suggested that there was a culture of institutional abuse at St Bede's, nevertheless the abusive behaviour which has been reported has no place within the Catholic Church." He added: "I acknowledge and am deeply sorry for the pain and distress reported to have been suffered by those affected." Any individual with any concerns or disclosures about the late Monsignor Thomas Duggan is encouraged to contact, in confidence, the Safeguarding Coordinator of the Diocese of Salford, Father Barry O'Sullivan, on 0161 817 2206 or by email at: safeguarding@dioceseofsalford.org.uk.
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