Two More Local Priests Accused of Sexually Assaulting Children

News 12
October 8, 2019

http://westchester.news12.com/story/41153002/second-priest-in-a-week-accused-sexually-assaulting-a-child

Two more priests in Westchester County are facing allegations of sexual abuse.

Monsignor Edward Barry at the Holy Rosary Church in Hawthorne and Father William Luciano at Blessed Sacrament Parish in New Rochelle have been placed on administrative leave.

Parishioners at both churches have received letters from Cardinal Timothy Dolan telling them about the allegations.

According to the letter, the New York Archdiocese received word that Monsignor Barry is accused of sexually assaulting a child decades ago. Father Luciano is accused of engaging in inappropriate conduct in the 1980s.

As a result, both have been placed on administrative leave while an investigations are conducted.

Father Sebastian Pandarathikudiyll will temporarily serve Holy Rosary Church while Bishop Gerald Walsh will step in at Blessed Sacrament Parish.

Parishioners at St. Vito's Most Holy Trinity Church in Mamaroneck received a similar letter about their pastor, Monsignor James White. White is also now on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted.

All the allegations have come about under New York State's Child Victims Act, the new law that opens a one-year window in the statute of limitations for victims to file claims.

In each case, Cardinal Dolan stressed in his letters that both pastors have been accused, not convicted, and both cases have been turned over to the district attorney as is the policy of the New York Archdiocese.

The letter sent to parishioners also asks that if anyone knows of any similar allegations against Barry, White, or others, that they call victims’ assistance coordinator at (646)794-2949.