Retired Brooklyn Monsignor Accused of Trying to Molest Two Teen Boys, The Gothamist, October 16, 2011

Retired Brooklyn Monsignor Accused of Trying to Molest Two Teen Boys

The Gothamist
October 16, 2011

http://gothamist.com/2011/10/15/retired_brooklyn_monsignor_accused.php

Monsignor Thomas Brady

A retired Brooklyn monsignor was arrested yesterday and accused of attempting to molest two teenage boys this past Thursday. Msgr. Thomas Brady, 78, was charged with attempting a "criminal sex act" toward two teenage boys. "It's devastating," said Stefanie Gutierrez, a spokeswoman for the Diocese of Brooklyn, who placed Brady on administrative leave. "He was a well-regarded pastor. He's loved in the parish."

Both incidents with the teen boys allegedly took place on Thursday, at different times. One of the alleged victims is a 13-year-old boy who told police that Brady tried to kiss and fondle him. His charges include two counts of attempted sex abuse in the 2nd and 3rd degree, an attempted criminal sexual act in the 2nd degree and endangering the welfare of a child.

Brady was ordained as a priest in 1959, and had served as an FDNY chaplain for many years. He is the former pastor of the Good Shepherd Parish in Marine Park; although he retired in 2009, he has remained the pastor emeritus there, and has continued to live in the rectory since his retirement. Brady had suffered several strokes over the last few years, and Gutierrez added that he is undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer.

Gutierrez said that there was "no physical contact" between the monsignor and the teens. "His mind just got very foggy," she told the Daily News. Brady's nephew, Dave Konig, told CBS that Brady has dementia because of his many illnesses. "He's had two strokes. He's going through lung cancer now. He's going through chemotherapy, is affecting and has a lot of trouble thinking straight. All I know is the man is having some difficulty upstairs because of all the illnesses," said Konig.