Decades of Allegations: The David Ferrick Case

David Ferrick, now 57, alleges repeated sexual abuse by Patrick Sexton, a defrocked priest, during 1979 and 1980 while both were associated with St. Cecilia Church in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood. Ferrick’s lawsuit, filed under New York’s Child Victims Act, contends the Diocese was aware of Sexton’s alleged predatory behavior and failed to protect children in his care.

The Diocese, in its initial legal response, vehemently denied any prior knowledge of Sexton’s alleged abuse. However, the recent unsealing of priest personnel files casts serious doubt on that claim.

Unsealed Files Reveal Internal Concerns

Last month, a judge ordered the release of numerous documents pertaining to Sexton’s case. These files reportedly contain evidence that high-ranking Church officials were informed of allegations of sexual misconduct as early as 1979 – the very year Ferrick claims the abuse began.

One particularly damning document, dated September 6, 1979, and marked “Confidential,” details an internal discussion where Sexton admitted to a monsignor that he had taken nude photographs of four boys at Jones Beach. The monsignor’s notes characterize Sexton’s actions as “an irresponsible act.”

Further evidence surfaced in a November 2004 letter from a top Brooklyn Diocese administrator to then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI). The letter outlined allegations against Sexton dating back to shortly after his ordination in 1977. This timeline suggests a pattern of concerning behavior that spanned decades.

The Diocese officially “laicized” Sexton – removing his clerical status – in April 2006, approximately a year into Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy, according to the Diocese’s website.

Diocese Response and Ongoing Litigation

When questioned about the apparent contradiction between its court statements and the newly released documents, a spokesperson for the Diocese declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation. Adriana Rodriguez, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Brooklyn, stated, “The allegations in this case date back nearly fifty years ago. Since then, the Diocese has taken many actions to ensure the protection of children, including mandating sexual abuse awareness training for all clergy, employees, and volunteers who interact with children.”

Attorneys for Sexton have not responded to requests for comment. However, in previous sworn depositions, Sexton has denied engaging in sexual contact with children, while acknowledging taking the photographs at Jones Beach.

The Diocese initially attempted to prevent the release of Sexton’s personnel files, arguing it would violate the Church’s First Amendment rights. Judge Joanne Quinones rejected this argument, noting that much of the information had already been publicly disseminated through news reports.

“Sealing is not proper where disclosure would merely result in embarrassing allegations being made public… or damage to defendants’ reputations,” Judge Quinones wrote in her order.

Mediation Efforts and Survivor Concerns

Last week, Bishop Robert Brennan announced the Diocese’s intention to engage a neutral mediator to resolve approximately 1,100 clergy sex abuse lawsuits filed under the Child Victims Act. The Diocese stated this move aims to provide compensation to survivors and avoid the emotional and financial burden of individual trials.

Mitchell Garabedian, a prominent attorney representing clergy sex abuse survivors, called the mediation announcement “a step in the right direction,” but emphasized the need for a fair and efficient settlement process.

However, Anelga Doumanian, Ferrick’s attorney, dismissed the mediation plan as a “PR stunt” designed to distract from the revelations contained within the unsealed priest personnel files. “Now, just as cases are finally moving forward and the truth is coming to light, they are attempting to pull the rug under survivors once again by announcing a global resolution that doesn’t exist,” Doumanian asserted. “This is a pseudo-offer at best, and survivors won’t be fooled.”

What responsibility does the Church have to proactively disclose information about past misconduct? And how can survivors best navigate the complexities of seeking justice and healing?

Frequently Asked Questions About the Brooklyn Diocese Abuse Cases

What is the New York Child Victims Act? The New York Child Victims Act temporarily lifted statutes of limitations on lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse, allowing survivors to pursue legal action even decades after the abuse occurred.

What are the key allegations against Patrick Sexton? Patrick Sexton is accused of sexually abusing David Ferrick in 1979 and 1980, and of taking inappropriate photographs of young boys at Jones Beach. The Diocese initially denied knowledge of these allegations.

Why were the priest personnel files unsealed? A judge ordered the unsealing of the files in a separate lawsuit involving Sexton, rejecting the Diocese’s argument that doing so would violate its First Amendment rights.

What is the Diocese of Brooklyn’s current stance on the lawsuits? The Diocese has announced its intention to pursue mediation to resolve approximately 1,100 clergy sex abuse lawsuits, but some survivors’ attorneys view this as a delaying tactic.

What impact could these unsealed files have on other cases? Attorneys believe the decision to unseal Sexton’s records could pave the way for the release of similar files in hundreds of other cases across New York.

How is the Diocese responding to the allegations of concealing information? The Diocese has declined to comment on the specifics of the allegations, citing pending litigation, but maintains it has taken steps to protect children in recent years.