FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 8, 2024
ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR AGAINST A
FORMER BROOKLYN PRIEST FOUND CREDIBLE
Three allegations of sexual abuse of a minor against a former priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, Michael Melendez, were recently reported to the diocese. The allegations, dating back to the 1990s, were immediately investigated for the Diocesan Review Board, which determined all allegations to be credible of sexual abuse of a minor. These allegations were made more than 16 years after Melendez chose to leave the priesthood and was laicized in 2008.
Melendez was most recently a religion teacher at St. Francis Preparatory High School in Fresh Meadows Queens, from the years of 2018-2024. He was suspended during the investigation and has been terminated effective immediately following these findings.
Melendez has also been terminated as the Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Grace Church in Howard Beach, a position he has held only since September of this year.
Melendez was ordained a priest in June 1989 and served the following parishes:
June 1989 St Brigid, Bushwick, Brooklyn
June 1994 St Elizabeth, Ozone Park, Queens
June 1998 St Michael’s, Flushing, Queens
Nov 2001 Our Lady of Fatima, Jackson Heights, Queens
In early 2004, Melendez requested and was granted a temporary personal leave, which was eventually made permanent until he was laicized in May 2008.
The credible finding means Michael Melendez will be added to the List of Credibly Accused Priests on the Diocese of Brooklyn website.
The Diocese takes all allegations of sexual misconduct with minors seriously and has instituted significant programs to prevent sexual abuse and protect children. The Diocese abides by the 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children which includes a Zero Tolerance policy that states that any clergy member who is determined to be credibly accused of sexual misconduct with a minor is permanently removed from ministry. The Diocese also conducts initial and ongoing background checks of all employees and volunteers and provides age-appropriate sexual abuse awareness training for children and adults.
Anyone who has been the victim of clergy sexual abuse is encouraged to report it to law enforcement or to the Toll-Free Reporting Line established by the Diocese at 1-888-634-4499. All calls are forwarded to law enforcement officials.
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