DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Father Bryan Patterson, the rector of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn, has resigned from his position following an allegation against him involving a code of conduct violation with an adult, Bishop Robert Brennan announced on Sunday, Aug. 18.

The diocese has opened up an investigation into the allegation, but details have not been released.

When Father Patterson was informed of the allegation and investigation, he voluntarily resigned, according to Bishop Brennan, who announced the rector’s resignation in a letter to parishioners.

Deacon Ron Rizzuto, the permanent deacon at St. James, has been appointed temporary administrator “to ensure the ongoing care and ministry in this parish,” Bishop Brennan wrote.

Bishop Brennan’s letter was read aloud by Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski after the 11 o’clock Mass on Sunday, August 18.

Auxiliary Bishop Mroziewski is the Regional Episcopal Vicar for Brooklyn West, a group of some two dozen churches that includes the Cathedral Basilica of St. James. The Diocese of Brooklyn is divided into four regions — two in Brooklyn and two in Queens.

In his letter to parishioners, Bishop Brennan promised “assurance of my continued remembrance of you in prayer “ and, in turn, asked them for their prayers.

Bishop Brennan dispatched the Diocesan Healing Intervention Team to St. James to answer parishioner’s questions and help church-goers cope with the news of the rector’s departure. The team members and Deacon Rizzuto stood in the back of the cathedral following Mass to make themselves available to parishioners.

Father Patterson was ordained in 1998 and has served as rector of St. James since 2019.