The Diocese of Brooklyn has found allegations of sexual abuse against minors by two priests in the diocese during the 1970s to be credible and dismissed allegations against two other priests.

“Sexual abuse is a heinous, sinful crime and the Diocese of Brooklyn is committed to remaining vigilant against such abuse,” the diocese said in a press release.

The diocesan review board deemed accusations of sexual misconduct against a minor brought against Father Charles White from his time as pastor of American Martyrs Church, Bayside from
1974 to 1978 credible. Those allegations led the review board to reopen an investigation into another allegation of sexual misconduct from 1999, which was originally deemed not credible. The further review determined that allegation to be credible as well.

Accusations against Father Hugh Byrne from his time at Holy Ghost Parish, Borough Park (now Holy Spirit) from 1971 to 1973 were determined to be credible. That led the review board to probe a claim against Father Byrne from 1996, which was also deemed to be credible.

Both Fathers White and Byrne have been removed from public ministry.

Claims against Father Joseph Nolan, who is retired, and Father William With, pastor of Resurrection Church, Gerristen Beach, weren’t found to be credible because of a lack of evidence.

Father Nolan faced two allegations of abuse. One was from his time at Our Lady of Snows, North Floral Park, be- tween 1976 and 1979. That claim was found to be not credible. The other claim was dropped after the attorney who reported it failed to reach the complainant.

Father With was accused of abuse between 1972 and 1975 at Our Lady of the Cenacle, Richmond Hill. The allegations were deemed not credible.