Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle told Hunter clergy about Vincent Ryan's death, but not survivors

Grief: A Hunter priest said the reaction to the death of Vincent Ryan (pictured), who was never defrocked, had been significant. "I find myself grieving about it, this hurt - there's so much around the place and it's so strong."

THE DIOCESE of Maitland-Newcastle told its clergy about the death of convicted paedophile priest Vincent Ryan "within the week" it occurred, but has still not directly contacted survivors of his abuse.

A Hunter priest who spoke to the Newcastle Herald on the condition of anonymity said the diocese included "a very brief notice" about Ryan's April 13 death in its regular weekly email from the bishop's office to clergy "some weeks ago".