The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany says it is adding a late priest to its List of Offenders, citing “reasonable cause” related to four allegations of sexual abuse against minors.
The decision comes after the Diocesan Review Board hired an investigator to look into new and historic allegations against the late Father Lawrence McTavey. The Diocese says the priest was placed on administrative leave after abuse allegations were filed against him in September 2018. McTavey died in December 2019.
McTavey was ordained for the Albany Diocese in 1955 and served at churches in Stillwater, Troy and Albany, before spending more than 30 years as pastor of St. Bernard’s in Cohoes. He was also a guidance counselor, vice principal and principal at Cardinal McCloskey Memorial High School in Albany.
The Diocese says the first allegation of sexual abuse was filed against McTavey in 2002.
