Long Island Priest Steps Aside Amid Allegations of Abuse

LONG ISLAND, NY. – November 6, 2018 – An online article from newsday.com reports that a Long Island priest in the Diocese of Rockville Centre is stepping aside amid allegations of sexual misconduct with children.

The Rev. Richard Kammerer was serving as associate pastor in the Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Mineola. Details regarding the misconduct have not been released, and it is not clear whether the allegations are raised by a single individual or several. No names have been released.

The diocese has reportedly notified the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office of the allegations against Kammerer, and the District Attorney is opening an investigation. The claims of abuse have not been substantiated, and no legal action has been taken against Kammerer at this time. According to Newsday, diocesan spokesperson Sean Dolan said Kammerer would remain away from his position “until further notice while this concern is addressed.”

Kammerer is the third priest in the diocese to step aside from his position in the last two months in the wake of abuse allegations. In September, New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood announced an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with minors and indicated her office had issued subpoenas to all eight Catholic dioceses.

Following the Attorney General’s announcement, the Rev. Brian J. Brinker stepped aside from his position as chaplain at Our Lady of Consolation Nursing and Rehabilitative Care Center in West Islip. Brinker was one subject of investigations by diocesan officials into child sexual abuse allegations dating back to 1993.

The Rev. William G. Breslawski also stepped aside as pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Rocky Point. Church officials were investigating sexual abuse claims against Breslawski dating back to the 1980s.