Parishioners were left in the dark for years over reasons for Father Michael Higginbottom's absence

PARISHIONERS were left in the dark over why their priest had been suddenly suspended – and the wall of silence went on for several years.
In 1998, Father Michael Higginbottom arrived in Darlington and, as priest of St Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, quickly became popular with parishioners, establishing a reputation as a respectable and hard-working man.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15220805.Years_of_secrecy_and_silence_surrounded_reasons_for_Darlington_priest__39_s_suspension/