By Dc. Tom Cuskey, editor
Father Nathan Brooks
A priest of the Diocese of Syracuse has entered a plea in Cortland County stemming from charges made against him in September 2023.
Rev. Nathan Brooks pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child according to a release from the Cortland County District Attorney’s office. He was originally charged with three misdemeanor counts relating to a relationship with a minor. At that time, Father Brooks was administrator of the Church of the Nativity at St. Leo in Tully, Immaculate Conception in Pompey and St. Joseph in LaFayette. He has been suspended since then from all ministerial duties pending the investigation.
He was sentenced Tuesday, December 17 to probation in satisfaction of all charges.
The following is a statement from Danielle Cummings, Chancellor of the diocese and Director of Communications:
Statement regarding Father Nathan Brooks
The Diocese of Syracuse was advised that Father Nathan Brooks pleaded guilty in Cortland County to Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class “A” misdemeanor offense. Father Brooks has been and will continue to be suspended from all priestly ministry. The Diocese of Syracuse will begin its canonical (Church Law) process to review this matter now that the complaint has been investigated and a plea has been submitted.
The Diocese of Syracuse received the complaint involving Father Brooks on June 28, 2023. A certified letter containing the complaint information was sent to the Cortland County District Attorney’s Office on July 1, 2023. The Diocese of Syracuse is and will continue to strongly adhere to its Safe Environment Policy and Code of Conduct to ensure the safety of all young people and to empower individuals to report any and all behaviors that may threaten the safety of a child or vulnerable adult.
