Diocese of Brooklyn Sex Abuse Lawsuit

About the Brooklyn Diocese Sex Abuse Scandal

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn has been at the center of one of the nation’s largest clergy abuse scandals. Allegations span decades and include dozens of credibly accused priests, with some having worked in schools and parishes across Brooklyn and Queens.

The Diocese named more than 100 priests credibly accused of sexual abuse from the 1940s to the 1990s, as well as dozens more who died or resigned before a finding of credibility. However, over 800 survivors have come forward, suggesting the true number is much higher.

Brooklyn Diocese lawsuits claim church officials:

• Ignored clear warning signs of sexual abuse
• Failed to report credible allegations to law enforcement or other authorities
• Allowed known or suspected abusers to remain in positions of authority where they could harm children again
• Silenced or otherwise discouraged survivors from coming forward to protect their image and reputation
• Transferred accused priests to other dioceses and schools within the Catholic Church to avoid scrutiny

To date, over $29 Million has been paid out to survivors of Brooklyn Diocese sex abuse. Compensation can cover expenses like counseling and help those harmed work toward healing and closure.

If you or a loved one suffered abuse within the Diocese of Brooklyn, we may be able to help you hold both the perpetrator and the Diocese accountable.

Brooklyn Diocese Abuse Statistics

Although the Brooklyn Diocese has publicly released the names of over 100 credibly accused clergy members, this may only represent a fraction of the true number.

For years, systemic secrecy, minimized reports, and pressure to stay silent kept countless incidents in the shadows. As a result, many survivors did not feel safe to come forward until long after the abuse occurred.

Find out about Brooklyn Diocese abuse statistics in the United States:

• About 11,000 allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, including many who served in the Brooklyn Diocese, have been reported in the U.S. from 1950 to 2002, as reported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
• The Diocese has named over 100 clergy members as credibly accused of sexual abuse between the 1940s and 1990s. In addition, dozens more priests and church staff died or resigned before a full credibility review, suggesting the true number of offenders may be much higher.
• The majority of priests on the Brooklyn Diocese sex abuse list were ordained between 1930 and 1979.
• In 2019, when New York passed its Child Victims Act, the Diocese sought coverage for over 800 sex abuse claims from its insurance company.
• Incidents of Brooklyn Diocese clergy sexual abuse were most frequent in the 1960s and 1970s. However, many of these cases were not reported until after 2002, when the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People established new reporting standards and encouraged survivors to come forward.
• The Diocese claims that less than 5% of clergy members who served during their 166-year existence have been accused of sexual abuse.
• Between 2004 and 2024, the Catholic Church paid more than $5 Billion in settlements and legal fees related to clergy sexual abuse in the Brooklyn Diocese and other dioceses nationwide.

Many survivors continue to stay silent because of fear, shame, or a deep distrust of the institutions that failed them. Our sexual abuse attorneys believe every survivor deserves to be heard — and deserves justice.

Brooklyn Diocese Abuse Settlement​s & Verdicts

Diocese of Brooklyn lawsuits have shone a light on systemic failures that left children vulnerable to predatory clergy and church personnel. These cases show how ignored warnings, inadequate supervision, and institutional negligence allowed abuse to continue for years.

In some cases, substantial payouts have offered survivors a sense of justice while holding the Diocese accountable for failing to protect those in their care. Some of these sexual abuse settlements, however, were confidential and not disclosed publicly.

$27.5 Million Brooklyn Diocese Settlement

In 2018, a $27.5 Million Brooklyn Diocese settlement was awarded to 4 men who claimed they were abused by Angelo Serrano. Serrano taught catechism classes and organized religious instruction programs at St. Lucy's-St. Patrick's Church in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.

The assaults occurred from 2003 to 2009, when the boys were between the ages of 8 and 12, according to the lawsuits. The abuse allegedly took place inside the church, in Serrano's apartment, and at an after-school program.

In addition to the Diocese, the pastors at the church, Reverand Stephen P. Lynch and Reverand Frank Shannon, were named as defendants.

“The record is clear that Lynch and Shannon had knowledge that for years Serrano often had several boys … sleep over at his apartment.”
– Justice Loren Baily-Schiffman, Kings County Supreme Court

$2 Million Brooklyn Diocese Abuse Settlement

In 2007, a $2 Million Brooklyn Diocese settlement resolved a sexual abuse lawsuit brought by a mother on behalf of her minor daughter.

The complaint alleged that a priest sexually abused the girl multiple times between 1996 and 2002. The molestation reportedly took place in a church in Queens, the priest's vehicle, and the family's home.

Even if the abuse happened years ago, you may still have a path to justice. Extended statutes of limitations give survivors more time to take legal action. A Diocese of Brooklyn sex abuse lawyer at Sokolove Law can see if you may be able to file a claim.

Diocese of Brooklyn Priest Abuse List​

For decades, survivors have reported sexual abuse by priests within the Diocese of Brooklyn, but those reports were often ignored, dismissed, or concealed.

Today, increased transparency, including the Diocese's own publication of credibly accused clergy members, has exposed patterns of abuse and institutional failures that harmed countless children and families.

Brooklyn Diocese priests accused of abuse include:

• Hugh Byrne: Ordained in 1962, the priest was accused of sexually abusing a minor between 1971 and 1973 at Holy Ghost Parish (now Holy Spirit). A second complaint, originally reported in 2006 involving abuse dating back to 1996, was reopened during the investigation and also found credible.
• Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio: Two men have accused DiMarzio, bishop of the Brooklyn Diocese, of sexually abusing them in the 1970s during his time as a parish priest at Holy Rosary Church in Jersey City, New Jersey.
• Michael Gribbon: The former priest at St. Clare Academy in Queens reportedly groomed and assaulted a 12-year-old girl.
• Jaime (James) Lara: The former Brooklyn priest was dismissed from the clergy for sexually abusing boys as young as 9 during parish and youth programs. His removal remained hidden for 25 years while he built an academic career.
• Peter Mahoney: Accused of sexually abusing a minor between 1975 and 1978 at St. Martin of Tours in Brooklyn, Mahoney was removed from ministry after the Review Board found the 2020 report credible.
• Michael McHugh: He was removed from ministry after allegations that he sexually abused a minor in the 1980s. The 70-year-old priest was serving as a Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel when the credible 2025 report was investigated.
• Michael Melendez: Three reports of child sexual abuse dating back to the 1990s were deemed credible by the Diocesan Review Board. Melendez worked as a religion teacher and parish education director until 2008, when he was terminated.
• Angelo Serrano: The religion teacher is accused of assaulting 4 boys, ages 8 through 12, in church offices and his apartment over a 7-year period in the 2000s. He was later arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexual assault.
• Charles White: The defrocked priest allegedly abused a minor between 1974 and 1978, while serving at American Martyrs Church in Queens. During the investigation of the 2018 report, the Diocese also reopened a 1999 allegation, which was also determined to be a credible claim of sexual abuse of a minor.

Dozens of other Brooklyn Diocese clergy members have been accused of abuse. By taking action, survivors can hold the perpetrator and the Diocese accountable for the emotional trauma suffered.

“Seeing that they are not alone helps victims heal and could also compel others who were abused — whether by the same person or in the same place — to come forward.”
– Zach Hiner, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP)

Latest Diocese of Brooklyn Abuse News

The Diocese of Brooklyn continues to face significant scrutiny as new allegations, legal actions, and settlements emerge. These developments reflect a decades-long pattern of abuse, institutional failures, and delayed accountability that continues to impact survivors.

Find out about the latest Diocese of Brooklyn abuse news:

• November 2025: New York City has introduced an amendment to the Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act that may give survivors more time to file a claim. However, the bill is still with the mayor and hasn't been signed yet.
• October 2025: Bishop Robert Brennan removed Deacon Danny Rodriguez from ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn after the Diocesan Review Board found a claim of sexual abuse of a minor approximately 20 years ago to be credible.
• September 2025: A New York appeals court upheld orders requiring the Diocese of Brooklyn to turn over an accused priest’s clergy file and related documents in a sexual abuse lawsuit, rejecting the Diocese’s claims of privilege and finding the records “material and necessary” to show potential negligent hiring, retention, or supervision.
• August 2025: The Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey settled two lawsuits with men who accused retired Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of abuse in the 1970s. DiMarzio, who led the Brooklyn Diocese from 2003 to 2021, disputes the allegations.
• February 2025: Four survivors have filed Diocese of Brooklyn lawsuits, alleging they were sexually abused and harassed by clergy members between 1960 and 1980. At the time of the alleged assaults, the victims were between 10 and 14 years old. They were able to pursue legal action under New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which created a 2-year lookback window.
• November 2024: Michael Melendez, a former priest who had been working as a religion teacher at St. Francis Preparatory High School in Queens, was terminated after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor from the 1990s were found credible.
• April 2024: The Diocese reached a settlement with New York Attorney General Letitia James to address years of "pervasive mishandling" of clergy sexual abuse cases. The agreement requires the Diocese to install an independent monitor to ensure compliance with new policies, acknowledge complaints within 5 business days, and create new offices dedicated to the safety of minors.
• September 2018: Four men received a $27.5 Million Brooklyn Diocese abuse settlement after alleging that catechism instructor Angelo Serrano sexually abused them as children from 2003-2009 at St. Lucy’s-St. Patrick’s Church.
• August 2007: The Diocese paid a $2 Million Brooklyn Diocese abuse settlement to resolve claims that a priest repeatedly abused a young girl between 1996 and 2002 in a Queens church, his vehicle, and the family’s home.

As more survivors come forward and investigations continue, these cases highlight the importance of transparency and independent oversight. Each new disclosure helps validate survivors, exposes patterns of wrongdoing, and encourages others who were harmed to seek justice.

Who Can File a Brooklyn Diocese Lawsuit?

You may be able to file a Brooklyn Diocese lawsuit if you were harmed by a priest, teacher, church employee, volunteer, or anyone in a position of trust within a Brooklyn or Queens parish, school, or diocesan program.

Recent changes in New York law may open the door for many survivors to seek justice — even if the abuse happened decades ago. In many cases, survivors who were abused as children can still file a claim well into adulthood.

It’s never too late to come forward. You deserve answers, support, and the chance to be heard.

Contact Sokolove Law to see if you may be eligible to file a Diocese of Brooklyn lawsuit. We’re here to listen, and there’s no pressure to take the next step unless you’re ready.

Steps to Filing a Diocese of Brooklyn Lawsuit

At Sokolove Law, we know how difficult it can be to speak out after experiencing sexual abuse, especially when the harm was committed by a trusted priest, deacon, teacher, or church official.

You shouldn’t have to carry this burden alone. Our team is here to handle the entire legal process so you can focus on your healing and well-being.

Our Brooklyn Diocese sexual abuse lawyers can:

• Provide a free case review to explain your rights and legal options
• Gather important evidence, like Diocesan records, medical documentation, and witness statements
• File your lawsuit against the abuser, the Diocese of Brooklyn, and any individuals who enabled or concealed the abuse
• Pursue a Brooklyn Diocese settlement by negotiating with the Diocese and their insurers
• Take your case to trial if necessary and fight for the justice and accountability you deserve

You don’t have to face the road ahead alone. We’re here to support you at every step and make the legal process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Get Help from Our Brooklyn Diocese Sexual Abuse Attorneys

For more than 45 years, Sokolove Law has stood with survivors, giving them a voice and ensuring that their words are finally heard and validated.

If you or a loved one suffered abuse within the Diocese of Brooklyn, you may be eligible for compensation. Our team understands how painful it is to revisit these experiences, and we’re here to listen with compassion while fighting on your behalf.

We’ve helped thousands of survivors nationwide seek accountability, recovering more than $10.1 Billion total for those harmed through no fault of their own.

Coming forward is never easy. But you are not alone — and you deserve answers, support, and justice.

Call (800) 995-1212 right now or fill out our contact form to take the first step. We’re here to help whenever you’re ready.

Diocese of Brooklyn Sex Abuse Lawyer FAQs