Priest Becomes Third In Westchester This Week To Be Accused Of Sexual Abuse

Rev. William Luciano of the Blessed Sacrament Church in New Rochelle was the third priest to be temporarily removed from his ministry, Cardinal Timothy Dolan wrote in a letter to parishioners dated Thursday, Oct. 3.

The accusations against Luciano stem from alleged incidents in the 1980s. No other information was released by the diocese.

Dolan said that the allegations have been reported to the District Attorney’s Office and will have outside independent investigators “look into and assess the allegation,” before it is put before a Review Board.

While Luciano is out, Bishop Gerald Walsh has been tabbed to take over at Blessed Sacrament.

“This is not a punishment, and no judgment has been made about the accusation; Rev. Luciano continues to have the presumption of innocence.” Dolan wrote to parishioners.

Similar allegations have been made against Monsignor Edward Barry of the Holy Rosary Church in Hawthorne and Monsignor James White of St. Vito-Most Holy Trinity Church in Mamaroneck, who have also been temporarily removed from their positions.

Dolan said anyone who has information on any allegations is urged to contact prosecutors or the archdiocese's victim's assistance coordinator, Eileen Mulcahy, at victimsassistance@archny.org or 646-794-2949.

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