Diocesan Review Board finds sexual abuse allegations against former priest to be credible

November 8, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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PROSPECT HEIGHTS — THREE ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR, made against a Former Roman Catholic priest of Brooklyn, were found to be credible, the Diocese of Brooklyn announced on Friday. These allegations against former priest Michael Melendez, which date back to the 1990s, were recently reported to the diocese and investigated for the Diocesan Review Board, which determined all allegations to be credible of sexual abuse of a minor. These allegations were made more than 16 years after Melendez chose to leave the priesthood and were laicized in 2008. Melendez, who was ordained as a priest in June 1989 and whose first assignment was at St. Brigid parish in Bushwick, was most recently a religion teacher at St. Francis Preparatory High School in Fresh Meadows Queens, from 2018 until earlier this year. He was suspended during the investigation and has been terminated effective immediately following the finding of credibility. Melendez has also been terminated as the Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Grace Church in Howard Beach, a position he has held only since September of this year. Melendez also served three Queens parishes from June 1994 to November 2001. In early 2004, Melendez requested and was granted a temporary personal leave, which was eventually made permanent until he was laicized in May 2008.

The credible finding means Michael Melendez will be added to the List of Credibly Accused Priests on the Diocese of Brooklyn website. The Diocese takes all allegations of sexual misconduct with minors seriously and has instituted significant programs to prevent sexual abuse and protect children.

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