PROSPECT HEIGHTS — A former Diocese of Brooklyn priest has been “terminated effective immediately” from his position as a religion teacher at St. Francis Preparatory High School in Fresh Meadows after the diocese determined that allegations against him of sexual abuse of a minor, dating back to the 1990s, were credible.

The diocese announced on Nov. 8 that three allegations against the former priest, Michael Melendez, were “recently reported” — more than 16 years after Melendez chose to leave the priesthood, and was laicized, in 2008. They added that the Diocesan Review Board immediately investigated the allegations, which were determined to be credible. 

The “credible finding” means Melendez’s name will be added to the List of Credibly Accused Priests on the Diocese of Brooklyn website. 

Melendez has been a teacher at St. Francis Prep since 2018. He was suspended during the investigation of the allegations and was “terminated effective immediately” following the findings of the probe, according to the diocese. 

In a statement, the diocese outlined the steps that it took upon learning of the allegations. 

“The Diocese is saddened and disturbed by these allegations. Upon learning of the accusations, the Diocese forwarded the information to the corresponding district attorney’s office, as is our policy with any allegations of misconduct that are reported to us. Then we launched our investigation,” the statement read.

Patrick McLaughlin, principal of St. Francis Prep, said he planned to send a letter to parents and faculty explaining the actions taken against Melendez. He added that the school implemented “protocols” to support students and help them cope with the news of the teacher’s termination.

“Because he was a religion teacher here, I directed them that if they have any concerns about any students, to direct them to either the administration or the Guidance Services Office,” McLaughlin explained. “And we would call that student down, sit with them, and talk to them about what they’re feeling … or answer any questions that they may have about the situation.”

McLaughlin said he met with the school’s guidance office and religion department on Nov. 8 to inform them of the situation. He also noted that Melendez underwent a thorough background check before being hired at St. Francis Prep in 2018.

“When we did the background check on Mr. Melendez, nothing came up out of the ordinary. We still take a strong position on the policy procedures that we do here, and they certainly work,” he said. “But being that these allegations came up only recently, it certainly didn’t come up on background check in 2018 when he started here.”

Melendez also served as director of religious education at Our Lady of Grace Church in Howard Beach — a position he assumed this past September — before being terminated due to the findings.

Melendez was ordained to the priesthood in 1989 and served at the following churches over the years: St. Brigid in Bushwick (appointed in June 1989); St. Elizabeth in Ozone Park (June 1994); St. Michael’s in Flushing (June 1998); and Our Lady of Fatima in East Elmhurst (November 2001).

According to the diocese, efforts will be made to reach out to parishioners of the churches where Melendez worked. “We will communicate with the parishioners of the affected parishes as is customary whenever we have to issue a statement of this nature,” the diocesan statement read. 

In early 2004, Melendez requested, and was granted, a temporary personal leave which was later made permanent until he was laicized in 2008.

The diocese emphasized it takes all allegations of sexual misconduct with minors seriously and that it abides by the charter adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Dallas in 2002, called the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This includes a zero-tolerance policy stating that any member of the clergy who is determined to be credibly accused of sexual misconduct with a minor is permanently removed from ministry.

The diocese also conducts initial and ongoing background checks on all employees and provides age-appropriate sex abuse awareness training for children and adults.

Anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse within the diocese is encouraged to call the confidential reporting line (888-634-4499), which connects directly to law enforcement authorities.

For information on how the diocese is dealing with clergy sex abuse, visit the website of the Office of Safe Environment. Also, see “Protecting our Children” on the diocese website.