@English Catholic Thank you for those contact details. I have now emailed the Bishop and every minion whose email address is posted on the diocesan website page. For information I will copy my message below, and urge others to email as well.

For the Attention of the Right Reverend Bishop Stephen Wright, Bishop of Hexham & Newcastle…

I have just read a report entitled Erection on the Cross? No Blasphemy Off-Limits – a shockingly vulgar claim made by your priest (whom I decline to entitle “Father”) Thomas McHale, 53, priest of Our Blessed Lady Immaculate Parish in Blackhill, County Durham, England, who said in his Good Friday sermon that Christ had an erection when he died on the cross. Good Friday! For pity’s sake!
Erection on the Cross? No Blasphemy Off-Limits

In the Gloria TV report, your “spokesman” refers to an “ongoing investigation”. It is insulting enough that the bishops do not exercise their duty of office by speaking directly to their people but instead pay good money to lay people to have them waffle / spin on their behalf. That is bad enough, but to further insult our intelligence by pretending that there is any need for an “investigation” when the evil was broadcast publicly by a man who -self-evidently – should never have been ordained, is an insult too far.

I am a Scot who lived and taught Religious Education in England for many years, some of them in your diocese, so it is of immense concern to me that young people are being subjected to the influence of this terrible evil-doing priest.

Please move now to laicise him, without delay. Otherwise, you, Bishop Wright along with everyone copied into this email, at whatever level of authority each of you hold to put right this scandal, will be held accountable, as will McHale, at your Judgment.

Patricia McKeever