A plaque honoring a former pastor at a Roman Catholic church in Brookville has been covered over, a parishioner’s photograph shows, after reports that the priest had credible accusations against him of sexually abusing a minor.
Newsday reported last week that Msgr. Mario Costa was among the 101 names on a list of credibly accused clerics that the Diocese of Rockville Centre included in bankruptcy court papers filed last month.
On Tuesday, the plaque at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church was covered with white cardboard-like material held in place by blue tape, according to a local parishioner who took a photograph of it.
Asked about the covered-up plaque, Sean Dolan, a spokesman for the diocese, said Tuesday, “The Diocese of Rockville Centre is gathering information and assessing the issue of dedications and memorials and will be communicating with the parishes regarding next steps.”
Dolan did not comment on who covered up the plaque or why.