Priest steps down as pastor of Catholic church on South Shore amid allegations of sexual abuse

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STATEN ISLAND, NY A pastor at one of Staten Island’s largest Roman Catholic churches steps down amid new allegations of child sexual abuse.

Reverend Thomas Devery wrote a letter to parishioners at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Huguenot on Friday, announcing that he would be stepping down from his post during the investigation.

He maintained his innocence.

Bishop Peter Byrne will temporarily assume leadership of the parish, which also includes an elementary school, according to the letter.

Father Devery referred in his post to a previous allegation of sexual abuse which he said turned out to be unfounded.

Now a second lawsuit has been filed against me, again alleging sexual abuse of a minor over 40 years ago, according to the pastor’s letter. As with the previous allegation, I strongly deny this new allegation and hope that it too will be found to be unfounded.

However, in accordance with the policy of the Archdiocese, and for the good of the parish, and you, my dear parishioners whom I love, I am withdrawing from my mission as parish priest, while this matter is investigated and resolved.

Father Devery said in his letter that he was sharing the disturbing news to be open and transparent with parishioners.

Such an allegation is a heavy cross to bear, not only for me personally, but for all concerned, including you parishioners, Father Devery wrote. May I ask you to keep in your prayers not only me, but also the person who made this allegation, as well as all those who have been hurt by sin and the crime of sexual abuse.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Huguenot, pictured on March 22, 2021 (Staten Island Advance / Jan Somma-Hammel)

According to the missive and an earlier letter from Father Devery to parishioners, an earlier lawsuit was filed by another person under the Child Victims Act. The first victim also filed a complaint under the Archdiocese of New York’s Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program.

Father Devery claimed in Friday’s letter that after the case was fully investigated by law enforcement, independent forensic investigators and, ultimately, the review board layman of the archdiocese, the allegation turned out to be unfounded.

After receiving a request for further information, Joseph Zwilling, Archdiocese communications director, provided a copy of the letter to Advance / SILive.com without further comment.

Father Devery became pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea in 2014 after serving as a trustee of Our Lady of Pity RC Church in Bulls Head, according to Advance / SILive.com files.

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