Priest Officially Removed From Ministry, Will Be Added to List of Credibly Accused Priests

The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn has announced that Father Raymond Flores, who has not been in ministry in the Diocese of Brooklyn since 2014, will be added to the list of credibly accused priests. The decision was made based on the recommendation of the independent Diocesan Review Board (DRB).

Fr. Flores was ordained in the Diocese of Brooklyn on June 29, 2013, and was assigned as a parochial vicar to the Parish of Divine Mercy in Brooklyn until November 2014.He was temporarily removed from ministry from November 8, 2014, through September 1, 2018, due to an inappropriate relationship with an adult. After a few years of counseling and discernment, Fr. Flores notified the Diocese of Brooklyn of his desire to return to active ministry. To serve outside the diocese where the person with whom he had the inappropriate relationship resides, Fr. Flores assumed duties in the Diocese of Charleston.

Fr. Flores began serving in the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina, in September of 2018, at the Parish of St. Mary Help of Christians. On July 20, 2019, he was accused of engaging in inappropriate online conduct with a minor who misrepresented himself as an adult. The allegation was immediately reported to Charleston law enforcement authorities and the Diocese of Charleston placed Fr. Flores on administrative leave immediately. On August 30, 2019, Charleston law enforcement authorities closed their investigation, with no charges.

After receiving the results of a preliminary investigation conducted by the Diocese of Charleston, on or about January 2020, the Diocese of Brooklyn initiated a canonical process to remove Fr. Flores from the clerical state. In the wake of Covid and its aftermath, the priority for the Diocese of Brooklyn became handling the Child Victims Act cases, beginning with priests in active ministry. Fr. Flores has not been in ministry and has not functioned as a priest since 2019.

Bishop Robert Brennan ordered a new investigation by the Diocesan Review Board on March 15, 2025. The DRB has determined there is sufficient evidence of sexual abuse of a minor. The finding means Fr. Flores will be added to the List of Credibly Accused Priests on the diocesan website.

This finding by the DRB is not a legal determination of guilt. It is recognition of the possibility that wrongdoing may have taken place.

The Diocese of Brooklyn takes all allegations of sexual misconduct with minors seriously and has instituted significant programs to prevent sexual abuse and protect children. In 2002, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops passed the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes a Zero Tolerance policy that states 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.

The Diocese of Brooklyn places great emphasis on providing pastoral care to victims. The Office of Victim Assistance Ministry provides supportive initial counseling, therapy referrals, and pastoral resources for the victims of sexual abuse.  The Diocese hosts a yearly Mass of Hope and Healing where the faithful come together and pray for victims of clergy sexual abuse.

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.

###