Lawyer names 2 former LI priests accused of decades-old child sex abuse

News 12
May 01, 2019

https://bit.ly/2USa0Me

Famed Boston-based attorney Mitchell Garabedian on Tuesday released the names of two former Long Island priests who he says were credibly accused of sexually abusing minors decades ago.

Garabedian says Father Edward J. Byrne is credibly accused of sexually abusing a boy around 11 years old while he was assigned to St. Barnabas Church in Bellmore in 1971 and '72. Garabedian also named Father Harold H. Paul, of St. Joseph's Church in Hewlett, who he says sexually abused a 10-year-old boy in 1961.

Last week, News 12 reported on a list released by the Archdiocese of New York containing the names of 120 clergy members credibly accused of sexually abusing children. All have either died or been removed from ministry. The Diocese of Brooklyn has also released a list of accused abusers that includes more than 100 clergy members.

The Diocese of Rockville Centre, however, continues to refuse to release its list.

Garabedian says that refusal prevents alleged victims from healing and children from being safe.

The Diocese of Rockville Centre released a statement that says in part:

Not a single priest or deacon of this Diocese is currently in ministry who has been the subject of a credible and substantiated claim of abuse against a minor. At this time, the Diocese believes that while the investigations of claims and allegations are ongoing, it is premature to release a list of accused clergy.