The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, announced today that 63-year-old Deacon Danny Rodriguez (Danny is not a nickname; it is his legal name), most recently serving Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, has been removed from ministry. The decision was made based on the recommendation of the independent Diocesan Review Board (DRB).
The DRB had been investigating claims against Deacon Rodriguez received in a report on July 15, 2025, alleging sexual abuse of a minor approximately 20 years ago. The Diocesan Review Board found sufficient information to substantiate allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor and recommended Deacon Rodriguez’s removal from ministry.
The removal from ministry means that he is not permitted to minister at Mass and cannot exercise any diaconate ministry. His name will also be added to the List of Credibly Accused Clergy on the Diocese of Brooklyn website.
The removal from ministry is not a legal determination of guilt. It is recognition of the possibility that wrongdoing may have taken place, and therefore, out of concern for the safety of the faithful, it was determined necessary to remove the deacon from ministry.
Deacon Rodriguez was ordained on May 25, 2019. He had been serving at Our Lady of Perpetual Help since May 25, 2019, and additionally at St. Agatha Church in Brooklyn from August 1, 2020, to June 30, 2023, and at St. Catharine of Alexandria in Brooklyn from June 30, 2023, to November 1, 2024.
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.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
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arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
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