Many Priests Who Served Astoria Parishes Named For Sexually Abusing Children: Diocese

By Christian Murray
Astoria Post
February 18, 2019

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Most Precious Blood Astoria

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 Most Precious Blood in Astoria; Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria; St. Joseph in Astoria; Immaculate Conception in Astoria; Corpus Christi in Woodside; St. Francis of Assisi in East Elmhurst; St. Bartholomew in Elmhurst; Blessed Sacrament in Jackson Heights; and St. Joan of Arc in Jackson Heights.

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.”