PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Bishop Robert Brennan has appointed Dr. Ralph Nofi, a licensed psychologist, to serve as the new chair of the board that advises him on cases where sexual abuse allegations have been made, the Diocese of Brooklyn announced on Jan. 10.
Nofi, who has been a member of the Diocesan Review Board for a year and a half, recently retired from Regis High School, where he served for more than 30 years as a psychologist and, most recently, as interim principal.
In announcing the appointment, the diocese highlighted Nofi’s “extensive career working with at-risk youths” and his professional affiliations with the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists.
“I am grateful to have someone with the depth of experience and expertise as Ralph Nofi serving on our Diocesan Review Board,” Bishop Brennan said in a statement. “He has lent his expertise to the board for the past year and a half, and now his willingness to take on the important role of board chair is greatly appreciated.”
Nofi replaces the outgoing chair of the Diocesan Review Board, Robert Boyce, a retired 35-year veteran of the NYPD who served on the board since 2022.
“I wish to thank Chief Robert Boyce for his service during these last two years,” Bishop Brennan said.
The Diocesan Review Board is a panel of independent lay experts that includes former law enforcement officials, lawyers with experience in family law and child abuse, mental health professionals, and one pastor from the diocese.
The board’s work is mandated by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. It advises Bishop Brennan in his assessment of allegations of sexual abuse of minors and his determination of the accused clergy members for ministry. The board also reviews diocesan policies for dealing with sexual abuse against minors and offers advice on all aspects of these cases upon request.
In another new appointment, Frankie J. Alvarez, a lawyer and retired NYPD sergeant, has been tapped by Bishop Brennan to serve as a board member.
Alvarez is a member of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse and has lectured at the New York Police Academy and St. John’s University on topics such as sex crimes, child abuse allegations, and criminal justice. Alvarez is also a naval reservist.
During his 25 years with the NYPD, he served as the commanding officer of the Staten Island Special Victims Detective Squad and the Child Advocacy Center Detective Squad. He has also worked with Safe Horizons, a nonprofit victim assistance organization that facilitates physical and sexual assault investigations and coordinates advocacy and mental health services for victims.
Nofi is also the board chair of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Sunset Park, a board member for Catholic Charities of New York Community Services, and a review board member for the Baltimore Province of Redemptorist Fathers.
