Plaintiffs claiming sexual abuse from 1960s file civil suits against Diocese of Rockville Centre

ROCKVILLE CENTRE (NY)
News 12 Long Island

October 23, 2019

A total of five lawsuits were filed Tuesday against the Diocese of Rockville Centre alleging priest sex abuse from decades ago.

Sheryn Silvestre and Joanne Jack made the allegations in February that they were abused by staff at St. Agnes Parish in the 1960s. Joanne’s brother, Alexander, has now joined the case, alleging that he too was sexually abused.

Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who is representing the three plaintiffs, filed civil complaints that accuse Msgr. John McGann, who would later become bishop of the diocese. It also includes Msgr. Edward Melton, Father Robert L. Brown, and the parish janitor, John Hanlon.

All four men accused are now deceased.

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