Report: Croton-on-hudson Deacon Dismissed over Sex Abuse Allegations

Daily Voice
September 30, 2013

http://cortlandt.dailyvoice.com/news/report-croton-hudson-deacon-dismissed-over-sex-abuse-allegations

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — A deacon from Croton-on-Hudson's Church of the Holy Name of Mary has been dismissed after allegations of sexual abuse of minors from years ago recently came to light, Catholic officials said in a story in The Journal News.

Deacon Al Mazza has been accused of engaging in immoral and illegal conduct with minors prior to becoming a deacon in 1996, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan told parishioners via a letter Sunday, the newspaper reported. The incident is the third time an ordained minister has faced such allegations in the Croton parish, the newspaper reported.

The allegations against Mazza were unrelated to his activities at the church, archdiocese spokesman Joseph Zwilling said in The Journal News story.

A deacon is an ordained minister who works with the pastor and parish staff but can have a job outside the church. Mazza could not be reached for commen, the newspaper reported.

The Westchester District Attorney’s Office confirmed officials had investigated the case, along with Croton-on-Hudson police, but said prosecutors could not bring charges because the statute of limitations had expired, the newspaper reported.