(NY)
The Tablet [Market Harborough, England]
June 24, 2025
ASTORIA — The Diocese of Brooklyn has removed from all priestly ministries Father Michael McHugh, parochial vicar for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Astoria, after an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was substantiated, according to the diocese.
Bishop Robert Brennan announced the decision via a letter that was read aloud to parishioners at the close of each of the church’s weekend Masses on June 21 and June 22.
Bishop Brennan said that the diocese received a report on March 27 alleging the abuse, which dates back to the 1980s. The diocese, according to the letter, then launched an investigation into the allegation, and upon its conclusion, presented it to the Diocesan Review Board — an independent panel that investigates abuse allegations.
“After deliberation, the Board found sufficient information to substantiate allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor and recommended Father McHugh’s removal from ministry,” Bishop Brennan wrote. “I have accepted this recommendation, and Father McHugh has been removed from all priestly ministries.”
Removal from “priestly ministries” means Father McHugh is not permitted to celebrate Mass publicly, cannot exercise any public ministry, and cannot live in a parochial residence. His name will also be added to the list of credibly accused priests on the diocese’s website, Bishop Brennan added.
In a June 24 statement, the Diocese of Brooklyn noted that Father McHugh’s “removal from ministry is not a legal determination of guilt. It is recognition of the possibility that wrongdoing may have taken place, and therefore, out of concern for the safety of the faithful, it was determined necessary to remove the priest from ministry.”
In his letter to parishioners, Bishop Brennan acknowledged that the news was “disturbing and confusing to many,” adding he has asked the diocese’s Healing Intervention Team to be available to the parish after all Masses to provide “clarification, information, and pastoral care.”
“Often just having a place to speak about such matters is a beginning step to addressing the strong impact such news can have,” Bishop Brennan explained.
Father McHugh, 70, was ordained in 1980.
Between 1980 and 2009 he served in various roles at Our Lady of Refuge in Midwood (1980-1982), Holy Cross Church in Maspeth (1982-1984), St. Agatha’s Parish in Sunset Park (1984-1988), Our Lady of the Presentation Church in Brooklyn (1988-1989), Blessed Sacrament Church in Jackson Heights (1989-1995), Most Precious Blood in Long Island City (1995-2007), and Shrine Church of Saint Jude in Canarsie (2007-2008).
Since 2009, he has served at St. Sebastian Church in Woodside (2009-2014), Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Brooklyn (2014-2016), Corpus Christi Church in Woodside (2016-2017), St. Brendan Church in Brooklyn (2017-2018), and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Astoria (2018-2025).
Bishop Brennan closed his letter highlighting the importance of child protection.
“I encourage us all to stay vigilant in our commitment to protecting our children and youth,” Bishop Brennan wrote, also assuring his prayers for the parish community, and asking the parishioners to pray for all victims and survivors of abuse.
The diocese also noted in its statement that it takes all allegations of sexual misconduct with minors seriously and that it abides by the charter adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Dallas in 2002, called the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This includes a zero-tolerance policy stating that any member of the clergy who is determined to be credibly accused of sexual misconduct with a minor is permanently removed from ministry.
The diocese also conducts initial and ongoing background checks on all employees and provides age-appropriate sex abuse awareness training for children and adults.
Anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse within the diocese is encouraged to call the confidential reporting line (888-634-4499), which connects directly to law enforcement authorities.
For information on how the diocese is dealing with clergy sex abuse, visit the website of the Office of Safe Environment. Also, see “Protecting our Children” on the diocese website.