Parker Waichman LLP

Vicar Suspended Amid Allegations

Suspended its vicar for development The Archdiocese of New York on Friday suspended its vicar for development, the metropolitan area’s highest-ranking priest so far entangled in the church’s sex abuse scandal. Msgr. Charles Kavanagh, 64, who also serves as pastor of St. Raymond’s Church in the Bronx, was placed on indefinite leave from both positions […]

Vicar Suspended

Suspended its vicar for development The Archdiocese of New York on Friday suspended its vicar for development, the metropolitan area’s highest-ranking priest so far entangled in the church’s sex abuse scandal.

Msgr. Charles Kavanagh, 64, who also serves as pastor of St. Raymond’s Church in the Bronx, was placed on indefinite leave from both positions based on allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with an underage male 20 years ago, according to Joe Zwilling, a spokesman for the archdiocese.

At the time of the alleged relationship, Kavanagh was on the staff of Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in Manhattan.

As vicar for development – a post he has held since 1994 – Kavanagh has been in charge of fund-raising for the archdiocese. He has been pastor at St. Raymond’s, one of the largest Catholic parishes in the Bronx, since 1988.

He was at least the eighth priest suspended by the archdiocese since March in connection with the sex abuse scandal. Most of the suspensions have been based on old complaints contained in archdiocesan files that were handed over to prosecutors this spring.

The allegation against Kavanagh, however, was not contained in the files, Zwilling said. Instead, a complaint was lodged recently with the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

The accuser subsequently notified the archdiocese.

“We only learned of this last week,” Zwilling said.

A spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau declined to comment.

On Thursday, the archdiocese removed a visiting priest from India

On Thursday, the archdiocese removed a visiting priest from India assigned to St. Charles Borromeo Church in Harlem, where he had served for three years. His removal came after his arrest on charges he fondled a Brooklyn girl in 1999, while assigned to St. Mary Star of the Sea in Carroll Gardens.

The priest, the Rev. Francis Nelson, 38, was dismissed by church officials in Brooklyn. But he found an assignment in Manhattan based on recommendations from his home bishop in India, according to Zwilling, who said officials in Manhattan were unaware of the Brooklyn allegations until this week.

David Clohessy, national director for the clergy victims’ abuse organization, Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, said Friday that his group recommended a national database of abusive priests about eight years ago. An ad hoc committee of priests studying sexual abuse never acted on the recommendation, Clohessy said.

“We said you ought to be able to click on the National Council of Bishops’ Web site and pull up a list of priests,” Clohessy said. “Otherwise, they turn around and get other jobs.”

Such a database would have helped to prevent someone such as Nelson from moving from one diocese to another even after sexual abuse complaints were lodged against him, Clohessy said.

Need Legal Help Regarding Vicar Suspended?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

Further sex abuse resources:

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
PW WAS FANTASTIC WHILE HANDLING MY WTC CASE. SHELLEY DAVIS WAS SUPERB, SHE MANAGED THE CASE WITH VERY LITTLE INPUT FROM ME. SHE CONTACTED ME WITH UPDATES AND WAS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO ME WHENEVER I CALLED WITH A QUESTION. IF YOU HAVE A WTC CASE, JUST CALL THEM AND THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL THE COMMUNICATING. IF ALL GOES WELL THEY SHOULD HAVE AN AWARD FOR YOU WITHIN 18 MONTHS. I AM VERY HAPPY THAT I CHOSE PW.
RAUL MORALES
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Huge thank you to Christina Morace!! She handled my case with care and professionalism answering any questions i had. With her by my side i knew I would get justice!! Thank you!!
Rhonda Wynn
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
It has been an amazingly gratifying and enjoyable experience working with PW, and making it that way is my paralegal contact ,Tina. She answers all my questions with patience, knowledge and understanding. Tina returns calls quickly and explains situations and progress clearly and all her answers are with the kind of details I request. Importantly, Tina always contacts me quickly with any status change or requirement for additional information. My case is still in progress and I am comforted to know my interaction with Tina will continue to be enjoyable, informative and interesting.
Jed schaiman
4 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038