April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
STATEMENT
Priest remains on leave pending review
J. Michael Taylor, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, entered a guilty plea Aug. 13 in Clifton Park Town Court to a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a minor. He will remain on administrative leave from all priestly duties as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany's Sexual Misconduct Review Board prepares to review the matter.
"As a Church, our first and most solemn responsibility is to ensure the safety of children," said Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger. "As is our policy, the Albany Diocese will await the conclusion of the civil legal proceedings before conducting our own review of the matter."
After concluding its review, the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Review Board will furnish a recommendation to Bishop Scharfenberger. The Review Board is made up principally of laypeople with experience in law enforcement, psychology and human services.
The Albany Diocese contacted law enforcement authorities immediately after receiving this complaint about J. Michael Taylor in April, prior to his arrest. He was then placed on administrative leave by Bishop Scharfenberger. While on administrative leave, he is not permitted to publicly present himself as a priest, celebrate the sacraments or wear clerical garb.
The Albany Diocese has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse of children by clerics. Any priest or deacon against whom an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor is substantiated at any time is permanently removed from ministry.
The Diocese urges anyone who has been sexually abused by a priest or deacon to contact a law enforcement agency or the diocesan assistance coordinator at [email protected] or (518) 453-6646.[[In-content Ad]]
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