Three Women Accuse Catholic Priest of Sexually Abusing Them

Manchester Evening News
December 7, 2013

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/rochdale-catholic-priest-canon-mortimer-6381949

Canon Mortimer Stanley

A Catholic priest is being investigated over alleged sexual abuse of children over a 20 year period.

Canon Mortimer Stanley, 82, who retired in 2002 from St Vincent de Paul RC Church in Norden, Rochdale , has been interviewed by police under caution.

Three women have claimed they were indecently assaulted and sexually abused while pupils at nearby St Vincent’s Primary School.

The women were aged under 11 when its is alleged the offences happened between 1980 and 2000.

It is claimed the abuse was committed in a presbytery next to the school.

Canon Stanley, who joined the church as parish priest in 1972, retired to his native Ireland in 2002.

Police have appealed to other women who may have information to come forward.

Det Con Christian Chivers, of GMP's Public Protection Unit, said: “I want to reassure local residents, and more importantly parents of children currently at St Vincent’s that these are historical incidents.

“While we do not believe there is any reason for current pupils or their families to be unduly concerned, this is extremely serious and upsetting for the victims in this case, who we are continuing to provide specialist support to.

“The safeguarding of pupils is without doubt a top priority for us, the school, and Salford Diocese and we are working together as part of this investigation.

“As part of this investigation I am appealing to former pupils who may have information about the offences under investigation or who may want to speak to us about similar matters to come forward.

“I want to reassure anyone who might want to report any incidents or offences that we treat all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously and in the strictest confidence and we have officers on hand to deal with complaints swiftly and sympathetically.”

Canon Stanley was in charge when a new church was opened in 1975 and on the church website is remembered for his ‘tremendous drive and enthusiasm’.

In a statement the Salford Diocese said: “We have been made aware that there is an ongoing police investigation into allegations of historical sexual abuse at St Vincent’s, Norden.

“The Diocese is co-operating fully with the police and the statutory agencies in these investigations in line with the robust safeguarding policies put in place by the Catholic Church in this country in recent years.”

Canon Stanley retired to Ballybunion in Kerry, Ireland in 2002.

Anyone with information should either call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.