Dr. John Magee, the former Bishop of Cloyne, may be called upon to provide evidence against a priest charged with sexual abuse.

Magee, who stepped-down as bishop of Cloyne in March, may have to provide the State with evidence against a priest in the diocese of Cloyne, Fr. Brendan Wrixon who is being charged on a number of sexual offenses against a minor in the area.

Magee, 74, was the papal secretary to Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul I and John Paul II

Wrixon is being charged with committing an "act of gross indecency with a teenager" when the boy was 16 or 17.

The incidents apparently took place at the Convent of Mercy in Mallow between October 1982 and February 1983.

Wrixon is also being charged with indecency in Doneraile between June 1983 and October 1983 and again in Shanballymore between February 1983 and June 1983.

Wrixon said he was shocked at the charges presented to him by Irish police last week.

“I am shocked by it,” Wrixon replied to the first charge.

“Again, I am stunned, shocked by it,” he replied to the second charge and “I am just shocked by it,” he replied to the third charge, Mallow District Court was told.

Magee has previously made two statements to the police about the complaints.

Wrixon will return for trial on three the charges on November 8.