Blessed Sacrament in Jackson Heights (Google)
Feb. 18, 2019 By Christian Murray
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn released the names on Friday of more than 100 priests credibly accused of child sex abuse.
The diocese, which covers Catholic churches in Queens and Brooklyn, named 108 priests, many of whom have served at local parishes in recent decades.
The priests spent time serving at churches such as Blessed Sacrament in Jackson Heights; St. Joan of Arc in Jackson Heights; St. Gabriel in East Elmhurst; St. Francis of Assisi in East Elmhurst; St. Bartholomew in Elmhurst; St. Leo in Corona; Most Precious Blood in Astoria; Immaculate Conception in Astoria; and Corpus Christi in Woodside;
The list, according to commentators, indicates how pervasive the sex abuse crisis has been for the church and the steps taken to put an ugly chapter to rest. Just last week, five bishops in New Jersey released the names of nearly 200 priests who had been credibly accused of sexually abusing children.
The list released by the Brooklyn diocese Friday does not state what parish each priest was serving when the abuse allegedly took place. It just lists, without dates, the various parishes each priest served during his career.
The diocese notes that the bulk of the 108 cases involved priests who were ordained between 1930 and 1979. The abuses that took place peaked in the 1960s and 1970s, although most were reported after 2002. About two-thirds of the named priests are deceased, with the remainder defrocked.
The names were released in a letter by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, who said it was part of the diocese’s commitment to great transparency.
“It is my hope that the publishing of this list will provide some assistance to those who are continuing the difficult process of healing, as well as encourage other victims to come forward,” DiMarzio wrote in a letter that was accompanied by the names.
DiMarzio said that he has been working to address the problem since 2004, shortly after he was appointed bishop.
He said he established a toll-free reporting line in 2004. He said that when a report is taken, it is then forwarded to the Queens or Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.
If the District Attorney’s office doesn’t have enough evidence to move forward with a case, it is referred to the Diocesan Review Board, formed to investigate whether the claim is credible and whether the Vatican should remove the cleric.
The diocese, in further steps to address the crisis, established an Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program in 2017, which is being administered by Kenneth Feinberg and Associates. Since its launching, the diocese has become aware of a large number of cases, more than at any other time.
“Out of justice, we will continue to search for additional victims of abuse and we will be conducting a private compensation program for those who wish to participate,” DiMarzio wrote.
“Sexual abuse is a heinous, sinful crime and we as a Diocese are committed to remain vigilant against such abuse.”
Click for list of priests credibly accused of sexually abusing children.
To report a case call: 1-88-634-4499
Bishop DiMarzio Video Statement on List Release (English) from Diocese of Brooklyn Press Office on Vimeo.
Most Reverend Nicholas DiMa… by on Scribd
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5 Comments
Let them get married and everything would be fine
This is so very sad. All these children’s lives ruined over these despicable perverts. When is this going to end? Who is protecting our children? All these families trusted their kids were safe at school & church functions. These kids will never be ok
Beast
My brother, my sister, and myself all attended St. Joan of Arc between the early 80’s and late 90’s. I can truly say that this pedofile priest is not the norm. He is an ugly abnormality who used his position and his congregants trust to violate children. I hope in the after life he recieves the justice he earned in this life. Peace and love to the victims who suffered in silence for decades and props to them for living a normal life all these years. And much respect to the victims for javing the courage to report this.
Please, please, please put this on your Facebook feed. More people need to know this. This is despicable.