A priest accused of abusing young boys decades ago lured children into a “vocation club” for Queens grammar-school students who dreamed of becoming priests, a lawyer representing one of the alleged victims said yesterday.
The Rev. James Smith allegedly molested several of the youngsters, who were part of a group that met at Our Lady of Grace Church in Howard Beach, where he was stationed shortly after his 1956 ordination, lawyer Michael Dowd charged.
The Brooklyn Diocese yanked Smith, 71, from his post as pastor of St. Kevin’s Church in Flushing last month after he was accused of sexual misconduct with three young boys in the ’70s.
Dowd, who is representing one of the alleged victims, said he has received calls from at least 17 men who reported similar abuses.
The diocese declined comment on the lawyer’s allegations.