Monsignor at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Forest Hills in child porn investigation
By Anna Gustafson
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| Monsignor Michael Dempsey has been removed from his post at Our Lady Queens of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills after federal law officials began investigating him for allegedly viewing child pornography. Photo by Christina Santucci |
A Forest Hills priest has been placed on administrative leave after federal officials launched an investigation into the monsignor for allegedly watching child porn on the Internet.
Monsignor Michael Dempsey, 77, has left his post at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church at 110-06 Queens Blvd. in Forest Hills, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio announced last week. Federal law enforcement officials recently told the bishop that Dempsey was under investigation.
“You are undoubtedly aware of the deep suffering and hurt that surround any matter of child abuse, especially when allegations involve a member of the clergy,” DiMarzio said in a letter read by Monsignor Paul Sanchez at the Masses on the weekend of Jan. 23. “It can damage, often irreparably, the innocence, the trust and the reputations of all who are in any way affected by it.”
Dempsey lived at the Forest Hills church since 1961 and served as the executive director of pastoral communications since 1978. DiMarzio said Dempsey was relieved of his post immediately after church officials learned of the investigation.
Dempsey’s attorney, Margaret Shalley, did not return a phone call for comment.
DiMarzio wrote that he encouraged “each of us in our resolve to protect our children and youth from all forms of abuse,” and asked parishioners for their “prayers for all victims and survivors of abuse as well as for Monsignor Dempsey.”
The Catholic Church has been rocked by sex scandals in recent years and a former St. John’s University chaplain was sentenced in December to five years’ probation after pleading guilty to sending homemade sex videos of himself to someone he believed to be a 13-year-old boy.
DiMarzio said church officials will be cooperating with the government in the investigation. The diocesan Victims’ Assistance Coordinator, Sister Ellen Patricia Finn, is expected to be contacted to make “appropriate services available” to any victims of clergy sexual abuse, DiMarzio said.
Members of the diocesan healing and intervention team were available at Our Lady Queen of Martyr’s Church to meet with parishioners who wished to speak about the investigation.
DiMarzio said anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse should report the information to the diocese at 888-634-4499.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
Note: The headline on this article has been corrected since publication. Monsignor Michael Dempsey, who was assigned to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills, is under investigation by federal officials for allegedly watching child porn on the Internet and has left his post, according to Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. He has not been charged.
Monsignor Michael Dempsey, 77, has left his post at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church at 110-06 Queens Blvd. in Forest Hills, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio announced last week. Federal law enforcement officials recently told the bishop that Dempsey was under investigation.
“You are undoubtedly aware of the deep suffering and hurt that surround any matter of child abuse, especially when allegations involve a member of the clergy,” DiMarzio said in a letter read by Monsignor Paul Sanchez at the Masses on the weekend of Jan. 23. “It can damage, often irreparably, the innocence, the trust and the reputations of all who are in any way affected by it.”
Dempsey lived at the Forest Hills church since 1961 and served as the executive director of pastoral communications since 1978. DiMarzio said Dempsey was relieved of his post immediately after church officials learned of the investigation.
Dempsey’s attorney, Margaret Shalley, did not return a phone call for comment.
DiMarzio wrote that he encouraged “each of us in our resolve to protect our children and youth from all forms of abuse,” and asked parishioners for their “prayers for all victims and survivors of abuse as well as for Monsignor Dempsey.”
The Catholic Church has been rocked by sex scandals in recent years and a former St. John’s University chaplain was sentenced in December to five years’ probation after pleading guilty to sending homemade sex videos of himself to someone he believed to be a 13-year-old boy.
DiMarzio said church officials will be cooperating with the government in the investigation. The diocesan Victims’ Assistance Coordinator, Sister Ellen Patricia Finn, is expected to be contacted to make “appropriate services available” to any victims of clergy sexual abuse, DiMarzio said.
Members of the diocesan healing and intervention team were available at Our Lady Queen of Martyr’s Church to meet with parishioners who wished to speak about the investigation.
DiMarzio said anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse should report the information to the diocese at 888-634-4499.
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Note: The headline on this article has been corrected since publication. Monsignor Michael Dempsey, who was assigned to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills, is under investigation by federal officials for allegedly watching child porn on the Internet and has left his post, according to Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. He has not been charged.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of yournabe.com.
Contrarian wrote on Feb 5, 2010 3:30 PM:
" While the protection of children from all forms of exploitation is very important, it's necessary to keep this case in proper perspective. The accused is not charged with a physical act, and did not, as far as we know, produce or distribute this material nor did he profit from it.. He looked at something he should not have. He should be retired as a priest and his faculties pulled, but not jail time. "
StarGateKansas wrote on Feb 5, 2010 9:39 PM:
" Love it when this kind of thing happens! Organized religion making rules for everyone else because they need the power, and then breaking their own laws because they are human. What a giant hoax organized religion has perpetrated, and continues to defend. When will the brainwashed understand that they have all been abused? Never. "
MICHAEL CIALONE wrote on Feb 9, 2010 1:45 PM:
" I attended the college seminary of Immaculate Conception in Douglaston, NY (Queens Borough) in 1978. Fr. Gradilone was the rector at that time. In February 1978 there were some problems amongst the seminarians concerning sexual ethics. I wonder often that the reason why seminarians and priests are confused and find it hard to live according to the Bible is that the various leaders have accepted false teaching concerning sexual purity and the reality of heaven and hell. How can a member of the clergy officiate at the Eucharist each day knowing in his heart that he does not believe and uphold the Bible directives concerning moral purity; the Eucharist is very serious, it is not a private matter to accept sexual immoral teachings. Those students that attended Cathedral seminary college that believed firmly in the Bible mandates on various issues were often given lots of grief by the staff. It is time that Bishop DiMarzio be made aware of the seminary college situation; we are not afraid to speak up, years ago the blame was put on the seminarian who accepted the Bible as rule and guide in matters of faith and morals. Guess what ! The hierarchy needs reformation, the problem is with the folks running so called "seminaries", they don't teach the authentic Catholic faith nor represent the Church's position on matters of faith and morals. They pick and choose, no wonder why the RC church is in a state of mass confusion ! michaelcialone@yahoo.com "
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Sister Maureen Paul Turlish wrote on Feb 5, 2010 2:10 PM:
His words are a complete contradiction to the actions he has taken against the Markey-Duane Child Victims Bill.
His actions show all too well that his concern is with keeping secrets and protecting known sexual abusers.
It is small consolation to the untold numbers of victims of childhood abuse by clergy that the case above is about Child Pornography whose criminal federal statutes do not expire while their sexual predators will never go to jail.
If the bishop truly believed in the Accountability & Transparency that was promised by the bishops in 2002 he would be proactive in supporting better child abuse legislation in New York.
In the meantime, I would recommend that any victim of sexual abuse by a church representative, no matter how long ago, take the matter to the police, first, last and in-between. Get everything into an official report to the proper authorities. Then go to the diocese if you must and never, ever go alone and insist on seeing the credentials of everyone in the church office with you.
Sister Maureen Paul Turlish
Victims' Advocate
New Castle, Delaware
www.childvictimsvoice.com
maureenpaulturlish@yahoo.com "