Attorney for Sexual Abuse Victims of Father Edward Brennan

The Catholic church and other religious institutions are supposed to be places where children are safe and cared for by members of the clergy. Unfortunately, members of the clergy may use their position within the church as an opportunity to take advantage of children. If you or a family member was a victim of sexual abuse by Father Edward Brennan, consult with an experienced Brooklyn attorney for sexual abuse.

At Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, we understand the physical and psychological effects of being sexually abused, and we are here to help you stand against your abuser. To schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your claim, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 843-0300, or contact us online.

Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Edward Brennan

Father Edward Brennan was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1963. Father Brennan operated as a priest at the following churches and institutions between 1964 and 1999:

• Good Shepherd
• Fortunata
• The Incarnation
• Luke

Throughout his career, there have been multiple claims of sexual abuse against Father Brennan. From about 1965 to 1974, while working at Good Shepherd Father Brennan was accused of abusing two sisters who were aged 9 and 7 when the abuse began. Over the next nine years, Father Brennan would sexually abuse these girls in various locations like his room at the rectory, Brennan’s personal residence, a gym, and even on a school bus.

These were not the only allegations against Father Brennan. There is at least one other child that attended the Good Shepherd school that had similar claims against Father Brennan.

While Father Brennan was released from various positions in the Brooklyn diocese, he was never held accountable for his alleged actions. It is believed that Father Brennan passed away in 2000 after working at St. Luke for over 10 years.

To learn more about filing a sexual abuse lawsuit against the organizations that employed Father Brennan, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Brooklyn sexual abuse lawyer.

Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Under New York Child Victim Act

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse carried out by Father Brennan, you should consider filing a lawsuit against the institutions that allowed this abuse to occur unchecked. On February 14, 2019, the State of New York passed the Child Victim Act (CVA) which increases the statute of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits in New York. The statute of limitations dictates the amount of time that a plaintiff has to file a particular type of claim in a court of law.

Prior to the passing of the CVA, survivors of sexual abuse in New York would only have between one to five years to file their case. The statute of limitations for these cases would begin after the prospective plaintiff had reached their 18th birthday. However, if a person only has one year to file their claim after turning 18, this may be an unreasonably strict deadline.

Additionally, it has been proven in various studies that survivors of sexual abuse may process their experiences very differently. Some individuals may only come to terms with their abuse after decades, while others may not even be aware they were abused for years. The CVA allows these survivors to another opportunity to face their abusers.

The CVA lengthened the statute of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits until a victim reaches the age of 55. If the statute of limitations for a sexual abuse case had already expired by the time the CVA was passed, victims would also receive a one-year extension to file their lawsuits. This one-year deadline began to run on August 14, 2019.

It is important to note that the CVA is not limited to lawsuits solely against sexual abusers. The act allows survivors of abuse to file a claim against a public or private institution that may have had a role in the sexual abuse. For example, if the Brooklyn diocese was aware that one of their priests were abusing children and they concealed evidence or took no steps to stop the abuser, they could be held liable for the abuser’s actions.

As Father Brennan may have passed away already, the CVA ensures that victims can still be compensated for their pain despite the death of their abuser.

Our Father Edward Brennan Sexual Abuse Victims Lawyers are Ready to Fight for You

If you were a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of Father Edward Brennan, you should contact an experienced New York sexual abuse lawyer today. The diligent lawyers at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP are committed to using our decades of legal experience to aid you in the pursuit of justice against your sexual abuser. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential claim, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 843-0300.