Attorney discloses six figure settlement against notorious priest

At trial, ex NY priest admitted molesting “perhaps dozens” of boys

Previously secret church records show pedophile worked in 32 places

He might be “the most widely transferred child-molesting cleric,” lawyer says

Victim’s attorney wants Catholic officials to “reach out to those suffering in silence"

WHAT: At a sidewalk news conference, an attorney will
-- disclose and discuss a six figure settlement in a pedophile priest and cover up case,
-- blast Catholic officials who’ve done little or nothing to seek out others hurt by the predator, and
-- urge anyone who saw, suspected or suffered his crimes to come forward, get help and start healing.

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 27, 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Outside the Brooklyn diocese headquarters, 310 Prospect Park West (corner of 19th) in Brooklyn

Get Directions (718-399-5900)

WHO: A Florida attorney who represents this victim and dozens of others who were molested by clergy

WHY: A New Jersey man has received a $160,000 settlement from the Brooklyn Catholic diocese because of child sex crimes committed against him by a notorious predator priest, Father Romano Ferraro. Ferraro is serving a life sentence in Massachusetts for raping a boy there. (He was arrested in 2002 and convicted in 2004.)

The crimes happened between 1968 to 1971 in Key West FL, where the New York native cleric had been sent as a military chaplain. The victim was represented by Miami attorney Adam Horowitz (305 298 7713).

During his trial, Ferraro, now in his 70s, admitted victimizing dozens of young boys, according to news accounts and prosecutor Katharine Folger (617 201 0281).

Records show that Ferraro was ordained in 1960 and had at least 32 church assignments (including five hospital chaplaincies) in six states (NY, NJ, RI, FL, VA, MO) and six dioceses (Brooklyn, New York, Rockville Centre, Metuchen NJ, and St. Louis MO) and one foreign country (Philippines). Some believe he may be the most frequently transferred pedophile priest in US history.

Bishops, especially four in the New York area, have a moral duty to seek out and offer help to others who have been molested by Ferraro, Horowitz says.

Ferraro worked at 9 places in Brooklyn: St. Joseph’s (185 Suydam), St. Rosalia’s (63rd & 14th Ave.), Regis Pacis Votive Shrine (65th & 12th Ave.), St. Lucy’s (Kent & Park Ave.), Holy Family (Flatlands Ave & Rockaway Parkway), St. Rose of Lima (in Far Rockaway), St. Francis Xavier (Carroll St. & 6th Ave.), Madonna Residence for the Elderly, Parson’s Manor (in Jamaica). Ferraro had 4 assignments in the New York Archdiocese: St. Rita’s (on Staten Island), St. Aloysius (in Queens), St. Francis Xavier (in the Bronx), and Wyckoff Heights Hospital in Queens).

In the Rockville Centre diocese on Long Island, he worked at Christ the King (in Commack) and St. Joseph’s (in Kings Park). He also worked in three New Jersey towns: Woodbridge, Middlesex and Colonia (all in the Metuchen diocese).

In the early 1970s, he attended 2 New York Catholic schools: Cathedral College (in Douglaston) and St. John’s University (in Queens and Staten Island).

In this case, the Brooklyn diocese was represented by attorney Michael A. Mullen 305 667 0223) and the Military Archdiocese was represented by Russell A. Yagel 305 852 8440. New York attorney Kevin Kearney has also represented the diocese in clergy sex cases.

CONTACT
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP national director 314 566 9790 cell, Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP president 312 399 4747 cell