NYC priest defrocked over 1980s child sex-abuse allegations

A priest who led parishes in Queens and Brooklyn has been formally defrocked following an investigation into child sexual-abuse claims dating back to the 1980s.

Father Michael McHugh, 70, a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Astoria, will have his name added to the Diocese of Brooklyn’s List of Credibly Accused Priests.

McHugh has been permanently barred from all ministerial duties, including conducting Mass in public, and can no longer live in church housing, according to a statement from the diocese.

The allegations first came to light in late March.

The probe, the diocese explained, substantiated the allegations made against McHugh.

Bishop Robert Brennan informed parishioners of the decision to defrock McHugh.

The priest was ordained on May 17, 1980, and was assigned over the years to Holy Cross and Our Lady of Refuge, both in Flatbush; St. Agatha’s, Our Lady of the Presentation and Blessed Sacrament in Jackson Heights; Most Precious Blood in Long Island City; St. Jude Shrine, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Annunciation in Williamsburg; St. Sebastian in Woodside; Corpus Christi in Morningside Heights; and St. Brendan’s in the Norwood section of the Bronx.

“This news is disturbing and confusing to many,” Bishop Brennan wrote to Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s parish community. “Often, just having a place to speak about such matters is a beginning step to addressing the strong impact such news can have.”

The diocese statement reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children: “The Diocese of Brooklyn takes all allegations of sexual misconduct with minors seriously and has instituted significant programs to prevent sexual abuse and protect children.”

Anyone who has been the victim of clergy sexual abuse is encouraged to report it to law enforcement or to the toll-free reporting line, which is 1-888-634-4499.