Fr. Robert L. Brown

Allegation to the diocese in 2014 that Brown sexually abused a boy 1981-89 beginning when he was age 16. The boy was a parishioner of St. Catherine of Sienna in Franklin Square, and reportedly had gone to Brown for guidance. The abuse is said to have occurred during sleepovers in the rectory, and included rape. Brown’s accuser said he told other priests about the abuse in confessions, but no one helped him. Brown died in the mid-1990s. Accuser received $500K in 2018 from the diocese. Accused in 2/19, along with Msgr. John McGann (later bishop) and Msgr. Edward Melton, of molesting two girls at St. Agnes parish. One of the women also said she was abused by the parish janitor, John Hanlon. Brown is deceased. The women and the brother of one of them sued the diocese in 10/19, claiming abuse as children. On diocese’s list in 3/21.