SYRACUSE (NY)
WTVH
The Syracuse Catholic Diocese announced the removal of a Central New York priest Wednesday after a two-year investigation substantiated multiple claims of sexual abuse. According to Bishop James Moynihan, the diocese found enough evidence to remove Reverend Thomas Keating (pictured left) from the ministry and forward his case to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith at the Vatican. Father Keating had been the center of at least two lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct and abuse while he served at St. Mary’s Church in Cortland in the 1980’s.
Last January, three sisters stepped forward to accuse Father Keating of sexually abusing them when he was a priest at Saint Mary’s Church in Cortland 20 years ago. Kristen, Karen and Amy Hansen worked in the rectory of the church during the three years the alleged abuse occurred. In 2003, another woman filed a lawsuit against Keating for alleged abuse at the same church. When she came forward in January, Karen Hansen said, “I have two daughters, three and five, and my faith has been shattered in this system that the Catholic Church has and I only hope they have some restored faith.” Father Keating worked most recently at the Most Holy Rosary Church in Maine, New York, near Binghamton. Due to the diocese’s decision, Keating can no longer celebrate mass or present himself as a priest. Keating’s attorney Barry Abbott issued a statement on Wednesday that his client was denied the right to a fair hearing. The civil lawsuits against him are still pending.