SYRACUSE (NY)
Cortland Standard [Cortland, NY]
August 21, 2026
By Paige Kingsley
Nathan Brooks, a former Roman Catholic priest accused of sexual misconduct in Cortland, has been officially dispensed from clerical duties.
Following the accusations and civil proceedings regarding Brooks’ involvement with a minor, Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia, Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse, was advised by the Diocesan Review Board that the allegations were credible. Brooks, upon canonical consultation with Bishop Lucia and the Diocese, petitioned the Vatican to be “dispensed from all obligations of the clerical state.”
Brooks was first accused and charged with four misdemeanors relating to contact with a minor in September 2023. Charges in Homer Town Court included endangering the welfare of a child, forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree. Brooks was also charged with forcible touching in Cortland City Court. According to original reports, the allegations stem from incidents occurring while Brooks was assigned to St. Mary’s Church and St. Anthony of Padua Church in Cortland.
The allegations were first reported through the Cortland County Child Advocacy Center in late August 2023, at which point law enforcement was notified. After consultation between departments, the case was investigated by the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office due to the crimes that had occurred outside of the City of Cortland.
At the time of Brooks’ arrest, the Syracuse Diocese and Bishop Lucia placed him on administrative leave and removed him from all priestly duties following the outcome of civil proceedings. The canonical decision process was halted until courts reached a verdict. In December 2024, Brooks pled guilty to a singular count of endangering the welfare of a child and was placed on probation.
The final decision led Brooks to submit a request for dispensation. His petition was granted June 30, 2026, by Pope Leo XIV, effective Aug. 7, 2026. Bishop Lucia was notified of the petition’s acceptance in the weeks following the acceptance itself.
“Mr. Brooks is no longer a priest, and therefore, is no longer able to exercise priestly ministry, which includes the celebration of sacraments,” a statement from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse reads. “He is not permitted to hold any position within the Catholic Church, as well as, present himself as a priest which includes the wearing of clerical attire or using the title, ‘Father’ or ‘Reverend.’”
This decision by the Vatican is permanent.
The Diocese of Syracuse also shared that it is dedicated “to protecting the young and vulnerable and will continue to adhere to all aspects of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was established in 2002 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops following the outpouring of allegations of sexual abuse against minors within the faith.