ABUSE ALLEGATION

Brooklyn priest placed on leave

A retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, now living in Unadilla in the Albany Diocese, has been placed on administrative leave because of an allegation that he abused a child sexually during the late 1950s.

The alleged victim recently reported the charge to the Brooklyn Diocese. After conducting a preliminary investigation, that diocese deemed the accusation credible. As a result, Rev. Joseph Schuck has been withdrawn from any public ministry, both by Bishop Thomas V. Daily of Brooklyn and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany.

Father Schuck was ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1953 and moved upstate in the late 1970s to care for his aging parents. He subsequently retired from ministry in Brooklyn. He now lives with his mother.

Since his move upstate, Father Schuck has assisted as a weekend associate for Sacred Heart parish in Sidney, and in providing religious services for scouts and scout leaders. Because of the allegation of sexual abuse, he is now removed from any ministerial work and prohibited from celebrating Mass publicly. A permanent disposition of his case will be made following the required canonical process in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

His removal from ministry was announced Jan. 11-12 to parishioners at Sacred Heart, and at its mission parishes, St. Ambrose, Unadilla, and St. Paul's, Franklin.

The accusation against Father Schuck for an incident a half-a-century ago is the only one in the Brooklyn Diocese. During his time in the Albany Diocese, there have been no allegations of sexual misconduct against him. However, Bishop Hubbard has asked anyone aware of such information to report it to Theresa Rodrigues, Victim's Assistance Coordinator in the Albany Diocese, at (518) 453-6646.