Most Precious Blood Astoria (Google)
Feb. 18, 2019 By Christian Murray
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn released the names on Friday of more than 100 priests credibly accused of child sex abuse.
The diocese, which covers Catholic churches in Queens and Brooklyn, named 108 priests, many of whom have served at local parishes in recent decades.
The priests spent time serving at churches such as Most Precious Blood in Astoria; Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria; St. Joseph in Astoria; Immaculate Conception in Astoria; Corpus Christi in Woodside; St. Francis of Assisi in East Elmhurst; St. Bartholomew in Elmhurst; Blessed Sacrament in Jackson Heights; and St. Joan of Arc in Jackson Heights.
The list, according to commentators, indicates how pervasive the sex abuse crisis has been for the church and the steps taken to put an ugly chapter to rest. Just last week, five bishops in New Jersey released the names of nearly 200 priests who had been credibly accused of sexually abusing children.
The list released by the Brooklyn diocese Friday does not state what parish each priest was serving when the abuse allegedly took place. It just lists, without dates, the various parishes each priest served during his career.
The diocese notes that the bulk of the 108 cases involved priests who were ordained between 1930 and 1979. The abuses that took place peaked in the 1960s and 1970s, although most were reported after 2002. About two-thirds of the named priests are deceased, with the remainder defrocked.
The names were released in a letter by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, who said it was part of the diocese’s commitment to great transparency.
“It is my hope that the publishing of this list will provide some assistance to those who are continuing the difficult process of healing, as well as encourage other victims to come forward,” DiMarzio wrote in a letter that was accompanied by the names.
DiMarzio said that he has been working to address the problem since 2004, shortly after he was appointed bishop.
He said he established a toll-free reporting line in 2004. He said that when a report is taken, it is then forwarded to the Queens or Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.
If the District Attorney’s office doesn’t have enough evidence to move forward with a case, it is referred to the Diocesan Review Board, formed to investigate whether the claim is credible and whether the Vatican should remove the cleric.
The diocese, in further steps to address the crisis, established an Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program in 2017, which is being administered by Kenneth Feinberg and Associates. Since its launching, the diocese has become aware of a large number of cases, more than at any other time.
“Out of justice, we will continue to search for additional victims of abuse and we will be conducting a private compensation program for those who wish to participate,” DiMarzio wrote.
“Sexual abuse is a heinous, sinful crime and we as a Diocese are committed to remain vigilant against such abuse.”
Click for list of priests credibly accused of sexually abusing children.
To report a case call: 1-88-634-4499
Bishop DiMarzio Video Statement on List Release (English) from Diocese of Brooklyn Press Office on Vimeo.
Most Reverend Nicholas DiMa… by on Scribd
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12 Comments
Saint Francis had more then one and more than has been officially started. Know that you aren’t alone!! Please don’t judge survivors as we were kids, 9, when abused.
I was only 14 in 1987 but when I saw Father Frank prancing around MPB in pink Adidas short-shorts, I knew something was wrong LOL! Voiland was vicious but I wouldn’t have pegged him for a predator.
OMG Fr george Voiland was the pastor @ MPB , he was not liked by parents cos he raised tuition so much , Little did we know about him . We did know about Cappelupo& watch on news as he was arrested. But Voiland ?? really .
St. Francis of Assisi is in Astoria – not East Elmhurst….
“Fr.” Robert Titone was at Saint Francis of Assisi from 1982-83.
Joseph J. Schuck was at Saint Francis from 1954-1975.
Edward L. Maurer was at St. Joseph, Queens, NY 1999-2002. WOW!
There is a good chance that adult/parents who went to this church as children heard rumors or know something.
Can anyone who knows something post about it?
The nun abuse, the child abuse, the cover-ups, the fathering of children and the cover-up, not reporting any of this to the police!
WTF, there needs to be a warrant, then the Catholic church should get raided by the FBI and eventually hauled into court and hopefully shut down. This place is exempt from paying taxes…argh.
There is good and bad everywhere. Unfortunately, we have to go through times like this to get rid of those who are not truly called, but take advantage of the position they hold. The Catholic Church is bigger and great than this, Truth will rise.
The lists of ALL credibly accused priests in each diocese and religious order clergy should have been released a long time ago. Exposing their names helps victims to know that they are not alone, plus it protects kids today.
Also, there needs to be a grand jury investigation with subpoena power in every state..like was done in Pennsylvania. This is the one true way to get the full truth of sex crimes and cover ups within these dioceses. Church officials can not be trusted to expose all the names of credibly accused priests.
Judy Jones, SNAP Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
Many people reading this website went to these churches and grew up their entire lives in the neighborhood. Has anyone here been a victim or known anyone to be a victim?
Why is this any of your friggin business?
So that maybe people can know what happened and/or help locate other victims so that the church can pay for what they did . Shouldn’t we hold criminals and a shame church accountable?
Actually I had a close call with a priest from St. Francis of Assisi during my Aunt’s wedding rehearsal. I’m glad she was there to protect me. WATCH YOUR KIDS WHEN YOURE IN CHURCH.