A Catholic bishop has denied being part of a "cover up" that saw a paedophile priest go unpunished for three decades.
Father Thomas MacCarte, 70, sexually abused two altar boys at Bishop Eton Monastery in Woolton Road, Childwall.
The predator let the teens smoke cannabis and drink alcohol before carrying out abuse that left them psychologically scarred.
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But after one boy's dad complained to Bishop Eton's then parish priest Ralph Heskett - now the Bishop of Hallam in Sheffield - MacCarte was sent away to Scotland, rather than reported to the police.
MacCarte was jailed for four years at Liverpool Crown Court after being found guilty of three counts of indecent assault.
Judge Gary Woodhall told MacCarte: "Rather than take action or investigate what had happened, you were simply moved on.
"The church records suggest that the reason for the move was put down to the provision of alcohol to other males.
"I am satisfied that on all the evidence that was deployed in the trial, that was not a complete report about what had been alleged against you.
"Whatever may have been communicated to those higher up within the organisation of the church, what actually happened was a cover up to avoid any embarrassment - the complaint was effectively swept under the carpet.
"You were moved on and allowed to continue working in the church and in communities without any investigation and your two victims were left wondering why it was you were simply moved on."
The trial heard the boy's dad "immediately complained" to Bishop Heskett when his son told him about sexual abuse.
Robert Wyn Jones, prosecuting, said: "It was agreed that the matter would be dealt with by the church internally and Father MacCarte was moved away to Scotland, with the promise that he would be sent on a course.
"These things were dealt with rather differently back then."
The Diocese of Hallam has now issued a statement responding to the evidence heard in court.
A spokesman said: "It was with deep sadness that we heard during the recent court proceedings in Liverpool, the details of Thomas MacCarte's criminal behaviour. Our thoughts are first and foremost with those who were abused and with their families.
"Although we can confirm that Bishop (then Father) Heskett was the parish priest at Bishop Eton in the early 1990s, he was not, however, the Provincial of the Order and did not move Thomas MacCarte from Liverpool.
"Bishop Heskett has been and remains a friend of the survivor's family and will continue to support victims and survivors of all forms of abuse.
"If you have been abused we would urge you to come forward and report the matter to the safeguarding department."
Judge Woodhall said MacCarte, now of St Mary's Monastery, Hatton Road, Perth, "groomed" his victims after drinking alcohol.
He said: "You used both boys for your own sexual gratification, with little thought or concern about their needs or wishes.
"You bribed both with money and you threatened them that they were to stay silent, that nobody would believe them over a man of the church."
Judge Woodhall said the victims were concerned about the effect of accusing a man of the church.
He added: "Those threats and the imbalance in the relationship between you and them bought their silence and meant that they felt unable to pursue any complaint against you."
One victim, Boy A, thought the priest was "cool" for letting them hang out in his room, and not lecturing them about sex or lust.
However, the priest would stroke the boy's hair and "talk about sex and mutual masturbation".
One time Boy A helped MacCarte get home after the priest had drunk too much, but as they walked down Woolton Road the priest grabbed him and forced his head under his cassock, to the area of his clothed groin.
Judge Woodhall said: "He was able to fight you off."
The judge said MacCarte also "exploited" Boy B, who was vulnerable and had turned to him for support.
He said: "Rather than acting in a way to help him, you provided him with alcohol and money.
"You invaded his personal space, you would grab him in his crotch whilst handing money over and try and kiss him."
The judge said twice when MacCarte had got the boy drunk, he gave him a pornographic magazine to look at.
He said: "Then you indecently assaulted him by removing his lower clothing and placing his penis in your mouth.
"When you tried to get him to do the same to you, he was able to resist."
The two victims went to the police in 2019, after they discovered they had both been molested by the same priest.
Judge Woodhall said Boy A described how "being asked to pray for the man who abused him was damaging".
He said: "He describes how he suffered nightmares, an unshakeable fear he had done something wrong, unexplained guilt, shame and anger, leading to deep rooted self hatred."
Referring to Boy B, Judge Woodhall said: "He describes how what you did destroyed his relationship with Christ.
"He describes suffering from depression, anxiety and a life full of hatred, shame and guilt."
The judge said Boy B explained he also attempted suicide.
Judge Woodhall said MacCarte's previous "good character" was of "significantly less relevance" because his position as a priest gave him access in private to his victims, which in part allowed him to abuse them and "to ensure no one complained".
The judge said: "You have been able to live a normal life for the last 30 years, unlike your victims."
Anyone with information about or who wants to report a sexual offence allegation can call police on 101, where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers, or you can pass information to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Support for victims is also available from the registered charity the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside, who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063, or Rape and Sexual Assault Merseyside (RASA) on 0151 558 1801.
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