A report has revealed the failings of an Archdiocese in the handling of a priest who physically and sexually abused a child 'over a number of years'.

Joseph Quigley, a former Catholic priest, was jailed for more than 11 years at Warwick Crown Court last year.

Quigley was found to have abused a teenage boy whilst at St Charles Borromeo RC Church, in Hampton-on-the-Hill, near Warwick between 2006 and 2008.

A report recently published by Bernado's found that the Archdiocese of Birmingham, of which he was part, was aware of concerns about Quigley as early as 1990 but did not challenge him or listen to victims properly.

The report said no contact was made with local authorities when complaints were made about him in 2008.

It said: "There was an ongoing lack of managerial oversight, scrutiny and governance within the Archdiocese in relation to safeguarding matters."

Bernado's also found that the complaints in Warwickshire were not considered a safeguarding issue because the boy was 16-years-old.

The charity found evidence that the relationship was treated as "immoral rather than abusive" and that it was presented "as a concern about the behaviour of a priest breaking his vow of celibacy with a 'consenting' adult male".

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It also made 18 recommendations for improvement of the Archdiocese safeguarding policies.

The report said the Archdiocese believed Quigley "posed a risk to others" but added it remains "unclear whether he was referred as an errant priest or a sexual offender".

Quigley was treated as "low risk" but was sent for therapy in the US in 2008.

Birmingham Diocese, which has received "considerable press attention in the past due to the number of child sexual abuse cases that have come to light" according to the report, has accepted the findings.

A statement said: "The review, which has been shared with those most impacted by Joseph Quigley's actions, shows that failures by the Archdiocese, which took place over a period of time, were institutional."

Archbishop Bernard Longley added: "I am deeply sorry for what happened to those who have been harmed by Joseph Quigley.

"Looking at the review, it's clear that those things would not have happened in this way today. Going to the police and the statutory authorities is a natural and regular part of how we respond to safeguarding issues that are brought to us.

"This review does make for difficult reading and I encourage anyone affected by it to reach out for help."

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