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	Clergyman Admits to Sex Abuse By M. Junaid Alam Times Ledger December 6, 2007 http://www.timesledger.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19090930&BRD=2676&PAG=461&dept_id=542415&rfi=6 The pastor of American Martyrs church has been stripped of his duties as a priest after he acknowledged sexual abuse allegations levied against him were true, although none of the victims are Bayside parishioners, the diocese said. Msgr. George F. Zatarga, who presided over the Bayside church for the past two years and once served as chaplain of Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, resigned as pastor after he "acknowledged the inappropriate behavior" presented in allegations brought to the Diocese of Brooklyn's attention, a diocese statement said. Zatarga has been placed on administrative leave and will be barred from presenting himself as a priest, celebrating mass in public, administering sacraments or wearing clerical attire, according to the Diocese of Brooklyn, which also covers Queens. He will, however, be permitted to celebrate Mass privately. The news follows on the heels of an announcement three weeks ago that John Abrams, who served as pastor of Bayside's Sacred Heart parish 25 years ago, faced similar disciplinary action from the church after the Diocese Review Board found "sufficient evidence of sexual abuse of minors." Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, in a statement read to members of the American Martyrs congregation at the 79-43 Bell Blvd. church during Sunday mass by the Rev. Msgr. John Maloney, apologized to those victimized by Zatarga. American Martyrs has an elementary school. "As bishop, and on behalf of the Diocese of Brooklyn and the entire Church, I sincerely apologize to the victims for the emotional sufferings they have endured by sexual abuse by any member of the clergy. Even the passage of time has not dimmed the hurt they have received." The passage of time has, however, prevented prosecution by the Brooklyn district attorney. A spokesman for the Brooklyn DA said the statute of limitations had expired on alleged offenses that occurred in the district, while a spokeswoman for the Queens DA said Zatarga's name was not on file with that office. The diocese noted none of the abuses occurred at the Bayside parish and did not involve anyone attending that church. However, it would not say when or where the abuses happened. Zatarga served as the diocese's vicar for senior priests for six years prior to becoming American Martyrs' pastor. The 65-year-old was ordained in 1968 and served as parochial vicar at St. Frances de Chantal, Borough Park and St. Gertrude's, Edgemere. He has also served as pastor of Christ the King in Springfield, Ill., and as chaplain at Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn. According to the diocese, Zatarga has agreed to undergo counseling. Reach reporter M. Junaid Alam by e-mail at malam@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext 174.
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