More Than 100 Priests Sexually Abused Children In Brooklyn

Brooklyn Diocese Releases Long List of Abusive Priests

In a February 15, 2019 article, NYTimes.com reported that the Brooklyn Roman Catholic diocese released to the public, the names of more than 100 priests who have been “credibly accused of sexually abusing a child.” The diocese is one of the largest in the nation, covering New York City, Brooklyn, and Queens. It’s worshippers reportedly include approximately 1.5 million Catholics.

Dioceses across the nation have been releasing similar lists as the Catholic church tries to cooperate and acknowledge its poor handling of sexual abuse of children by priests. Some view the recent disclosure as just the latest attempt by the church to increase its accountability and transparency. Of the Brooklyn Diocese’s declaration, Brooklyn bishop Most Rev Nicholas DiMarzio stated “We know this list will generate many emotions for victims who have suffered terribly…. I hope it will add another layer of healing for them on their journey toward wholeness.”

Priests Abused Children At Brooklyn High Schools

The list of names released by the Brooklyn diocese is one of the largest to come from any individual diocese thus far and spans decades of alleged abuse. Some of the abuse occurred at the area’s prominent educational institutions. Names of those credibly accused of sex abuse include priests who served for many years at the areas local high schools including St. Francis Prep, Cathedral Prep, Christ the King and Archbishop Molloy schools.

List of Abusive Clergy is Incomplete, According to Advocates

Some victim advocates have applauded this attempt by the Catholic church to increase accountability and transparency by releasing the list of names. However, some individuals believe the Diocese is still protecting members of the clergy. Some strongly suspect that the list is incomplete; that it does not include all of the priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. Two-thirds of the people on the list are no longer living The list, also, according to advocates, does not provide the “start and end dates of a priest’s time at a parish, and it also included no information about the nature of the accusations, making it unclear if each man faced allegations from one accuser or several.”

Catholic Church Must Stop Protecting Abusers

Releasing the names of abusive priests may be helpful to victims who have longed for the church to acknowledge the crimes of its clergy members. However, Zach Hiner, executive director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), feels that the list, though useful, was “carefully curated” at the church’s discretion. Sister Sally Butler, a Dominican nun in Brooklyn and a member of Catholic Whistleblowers, shares his sentiment stating “There are some missing names on this list that have me wondering. I think some people are still being protected.”

As victims continue to pursue legal remedies against the church and their abusers, perhaps disclosures such as the one in Brooklyn will become more frequent. Anything short of full disclosure, however, may be insufficient to satisfy the growing number of outspoken victims and their advocates seeking justice.

Contact Alonso Krangle at 516-350-5555 if you have been abused by a member of the clergy and would like to know more about your legal rights.

Source:

• https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/nyregion/brooklyn-priests-sex-abuse.html

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Reports of Sexual Abuse by Catholic Clergymen Continue as Victims Seek Justice

Continued reports of the sexual abuse of minors by members of the Catholic clergy shows that this issue is far from being resolved. Fortunately, the victims in such cases have legal options that will allow them to seek justice. However, they will need to services of an attorney who is also a dedicated child abuse fighter. They can find this type of representation from the law firm of Alonso Krangle LLP.

Inaction by the Church Remains an Issue

Most of the known cases of sexual abuse by priests and other members of the Catholic Church date back between 30 and 60 years. However, the extent of both the abuse and of attempts by the church to cover up the issue did not become widely known until the 1990s. Within a decade, the church that was designed to protect children enacted a series of reforms. Unfortunately, new revelations of sexual abuse have come to light in recent years, which means that the fight for victims continues.

Helping the Victims

Many observers believe that the church is incapable of policing itself and point to the need for outside action. The Child Victims Act, which was enacted in New York, is designed to enhance the prosecution of sexual predators. In addition to criminal prosecution, sexual abusers can be subject to action in the civil court system. A New York clergy abuse attorney can provide the representation needed to obtain compensation for the victims.

The Right to Compensation

Damages may be sought to compensate for both the emotional and physical pain resulting from sexual abuse. Using the civil court system, a clergy sexual abuse fighter can also help reveal predators and prevent the mistreatment of children. This is why the victims of abuse should consider contacting the law firm of Alonso Krangle LLP.

New York Takes Action to Protect Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

The New York Legislature passed a new law that extends the statute of limitations for victims of sexual abuse. In a report by CNN, Marci Hamilton, CEO of Child USA and professor at the University of Pennsylvania stated that in terms of statutes of limitations for child sex abuse cases, “New York has just gone from being one of the worst states in the country to being one of the best.”

Passage of the New York Child Victims Act by New York follows what many states already do. This new law allows victims of child abuse to sue their attackers, decades after the abuse occurs. Trauma, fear and other factors often delay the ability of sexual abuse victims to come forward and tell their stories. New York State finally recognizes that victims need and deserve more time to pursue criminal charges and civil remedies. Our sexual abuse attorneys fight for the rights of those sexually abused by the clergy and others.

How Does The New York Child Victims Act Help Child Abuse Survivors?

The NYCVA gives child abuse victims more time to pursue their abuser and hold him or her accountable for their actions. Specifically, the NYCVA:

• Allows a child victim to pursue civil remedies until the age of 55 (the previous law capped the age at 23)
• Creates one-year period during which child sexual abuse victims of any age and any time limit may come forward to pursue claims.
• Allows a child victim of sexual abuse to pursue criminal charges and prosecution until the age of 28

In reality, the new law will give thousands of men and women the opportunity to seek justice that would have otherwise been unavailable under the old law. It means that New York finally recognizes the unique nature of child sex abuse cases and the deep, unrelenting emotional damage it can cause for victims well into adulthood.

Despite Opposition From Catholic Church, New York Legislature Comes Through For Victims of Sexual Abuse

According to CNN, the New York Catholic Conference spent decades opposing the passage of the law extending the statute of limitations on sexual abuse cases. CNN reported that Governor Cuomo “blamed the church directly for preventing the bill’s passage.” That opposition was dropped only when the legislature agreed to allow victims to sue public institutions as well as religious ones. Initially, the extended statute of limitations was introduced to ensure that individuals who were sexually abused as children by members of the clergy, did not lose the right to pursue legal remedies against the Catholic Church.

Will There Be a Flood of Cases Filed by Sexual Abuse Survivors?

Time will determine how many more victims come forward to seek justice in court or see that their abusers receive punishment. Child USA’s Hamilton hopes that by passing this bill, more people will come forward and shed light on the epidemic nature and patterns of sexual abuse in our country. With more information and accountability, change may occur.

Contact Alonso Krangle, LLP if you are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Let us help you pursue justice. Call 800-403-6191 today.

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