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Prochaski was a priest assigned to Holy Cross in Maspeth from 1969 to 1994.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The number of women accusing a former Maspeth priest of sexual abuse has increased to 23, according to published reports.
Fifteen women came forward on Sept. 26 to say they were abused by the Rev. Adam Prochaski at the Holy Cross church and school in Maspeth between 1973 and 1994. Eight more followed suit this week. Prochaski was assigned to Holy Cross from 1969 to 1994.
According to the New York Daily News, Prochaski was pastor of the parish for about four years. He later left the priesthood, got married, and reportedly lives in Queens.
“As far as the number going up from 15 to 23—it’s terrible. Any time there is news of another survivor, it is devastating to the diocese, the clergy, the faithful,” Diocese of Brooklyn spokeswoman Carolyn Erstad told The Forum on Tuesday. “It is important for people to know that while the allegations against Prochaski are surfacing for the first time, all of the alleged incidents coming to light took place decades ago and before sweeping reform was implemented to ensure the protection of children and the prosecution of perpetrators. It is a new day for the Church. One of transparency, zero tolerance, and vigilance for the protection of children.”
The alleged victims are being represented by Dr. Robert Hoatson of Road to Recovery, which assists the victims and their families with recovery and healing, and attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who was famously portrayed by actor Stanley Tucci in the Academy Award-winning feature film, “Spotlight,” which covered the Boston Globe’s investigation into clergy sexual abuse and cover-ups.
“Mr. Garabedian is an excellent attorney who is an expert in clergy sexual abuse,” Hoatson told The Forum this week. “His advocacy and legal representation of victims are exemplary.”
On Wednesday, Hoatson and Linda Porcaro, a former Holy Cross School lay teacher who reported to her supervisors in 1990-1991 that approximately seven minor females (students of Holy Cross School) told her that Prochaski had sexually abused or was sexually abusing them, were set to hold a two press conferences outside Holy Cross Church and the headquarters of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
“Had the supervisors of Fr. Adam Prochaski, such as Bishop Thomas Daily, done something about the reports of Fr. Adam Prochaski sexually abusing minor females at Holy Cross Parish and School, Maspeth, Queens years ago, many minor females would have been spared from sexual abuse, and the minor females who reported the sexual abuse could have received the resources they needed to heal,” according to a notice detailing the media events. “Why did Bishop Daily, two principals, and other diocesan officials, who either knew about the sexual abuse or placed Fr. Adam Prochaski ‘absent on leave’ from 1995-2002 without informing the parishioners of Holy Cross Parish and being transparent about the allegations, allow the sexual abuse to continue unabated for years?”
