ROCKVILLE CENTRE (NY)
WINS - 1010 Radio [New York City NY]
November 2, 2024
Thomas Moriarty, 62, was serving as Associate Pastor at Church of the Holy Spirit in New Hyde Park before being accused of sexual abuse.
A Long Island priest was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 22-year-old man last weekend, Nassau County Police announced on Friday.
Thomas Moriarty, 62, is accused of sexually abusing the victim in the early morning on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Oceanside. He is charged with forcible touching.
According to police, Moriarty works as the priest of the Church of the Holy Spirit, a Catholic congregation in New Hyde Park. His name has since been removed from the parish website.
Rev. Eric Fasano, a spokesperson for the Rockville Centre Diocese, said in an email to Newsday that “Father Moriarty has voluntarily stepped away from ministry and will not present himself as a priest while the required civil process and diocesan procedures are undertaken. The accusation does not involve any parishioners from Holy Spirit Church in New Hyde Park where Father Moriarty was serving as an Associate Pastor.”
Moriarty pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Hempstead on Thursday, according to court records. Prosecutors requested bail, but Moriarty was released with a temporary order of protection filed against him.
He is expected back in court on Nov. 15.