Alan J. Placa

Ordained: 1970

In 2002, Placa asked for and received a sabbatical from the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Placa, who served as counsel and Vice Chancellor for the Diocese, was the contact person for victims for years. He reportedly played a key role in the handling of abuse complaints against priests. When a religious educator approached Placa with concerns about a priest whom she thought was “grooming” a boy for sex, Placa allegedly told her that his job was “to protect the bishop.” When she asked whose job it was to protect the boy, the woman stated that Placa apparently looked away from her and lit a cigarette.