Father Adam Prochaski
Diocese of Brooklyn
Ordained: 1968
Removed: 1994
Assigned as follows:
- 1969-1994: Holy Cross (Maspeth, NY)
- 1995-2000: Absent On Sick Leave
- 2001-2002: Absent On Sick Leave/Absent On Leave
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Adam Prochaski:
Fr. Adam Prochaski spent his entire career at Holy Cross parish and school in Maspeth, Queens, which was established by and served the Polish community. According to media reports, in September 2017, a former Holy Cross teacher publicly stated she reported to the school’s principal in 1990 that Prochaski was sexually abusing seven of her female students, and that the principal laughed at her and said that “everyone knew about Father P.” She said she later told the new principal, and the Diocese of Brooklyn was informed, but “not much was done.”
The Diocese of Brooklyn stated the allegations against Prochaski, ranging from fondling to rape, were first reported in 1994. He resigned from ministry shortly after, but through 2002 was still listed in the Official Catholic Directory as “Absent on Leave” or “Absent on Sick Leave.”
By November 2017, more than thirty former Holy Cross students, including one male had come forward alleging child sexual abuse by the priest. The abuse of the children ages 5 through 16, allegedly occurred from 1972 to 1994. Many were polish immigrants Prochaski helped bring to the United States. The former teacher said she’d heard from hundreds of former students that he sexually abused them.
“The sexual abuse happened here at Holy Cross Church, in the church, in Holy Cross Rectory, in the Holy Cross school, in cars, and in homes where Prochaski used to visit the children,” their lawyer said. “He would sexually abuse them in unimaginable ways according to the allegations.”
The New York Police Department initiated an investigation, but no criminal charges were filed due to New York’s statute of limitations. In October 2017, a settlement was reached through the diocese’s Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP).
In February 2019, Prochaski’s name appeared on the Diocese of Brooklyn’s list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors. He reportedly went on to marry and to work as an addictions counselor and is believed to be living in Queens, New York.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Brooklyn. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Brooklyn, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Brooklyn now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to [email protected] to discuss your options today.