An internal investigation by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn has found credible three allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by a former priest and teacher at a Queens high school, the diocese announced Friday.
The allegations, dating back to the 1990s, were recently reported to the Diocese and led to the suspension of Michael Melendez, who had been teaching religion at St. Francis Preparatory High School in Fresh Meadows, Queens, since 2018.
Following the Diocesan Review Board’s findings, Melendez was terminated from his teaching position at the school and his role as Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Grace Church in Howard Beach, which he took on in September.
The review board concluded that the allegations made by three individuals, more than 16 years after Melendez left the priesthood in 2008, were credible. According to the diocese, Melendez first requested temporary leave in 2004 before being officially laicized in 2008. It is understood that Melendez’ decision to leave the priesthood were for personal reasons, and that no allegations had been leveled against him at the time.
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