Our Lady of La Salette Church at 46-44 204th St. (GMaps)
Dec. 8, 2019 By Kristen Torres
A Queens bishop who served as the spiritual leader of a Bayside church has been charged for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy from his congregation, the District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
Bishop Jese Milagrosa, 69, who served at Our Lady of La Salette Church at 46-44 204th St., is accused of sexually assaulting the boy over a three-year period beginning in 2011, according to the District Attorney’s office.
“The defendant is accused of using his position as head of the church to take advantage of an innocent child for his own sexual gratification,” said Acting Queens District Attorney John Ryan in a statement.
Milagrosa was arraigned Thursday night before Queens Criminal Court Judge Karina Alomar on a complaint charging him with predatory sexual assault against a child, first-degree sexual conduct against a child, and first-, second- and third-degree criminal sexual act.
He was ordered held on $250,000 bail and to return to court on Dec. 20, 2019. If convicted, the he faces 10 years to life in prison.
The victim allegedly spent much of his time outside of school with Milagrosa and was sexually abused for three years prior to April 2014, according to Ryan.
In 2018 the victim recorded a conversation with Milagrosa while confronting the bishop about the alleged abuse. Milagrosa also admitted to having oral and anal contact with the victim to detectives at the time of his arrest, according to Ryan.
3 Comments
This type of child abuse continues to be shocking and disgusting by the so-called “Shepherd’s of the Flock.” As a Catholic, myself, these clerics do not seem to have a sense of moral conscience whatsoever or any dignity left. I believe they do not since they feel free to take away the innate dignity of innocent minors. These priests and bishops not only betray the innocent trust of a minor but use and hide behind their lofty position to commit their crimes. When members of the clergy perpetrate these appalling actions, it is a modern-day Judas Iscariot kiss of betrayal to Jesus Christ Himself.
What denomination is this predator?
As a Catholic myself, it is with a sense of sadness towards the victim and anger to the abuser to read that this was a priest who allegedly committed these disgraceful acts.