Francis Melfe, who is 91 and living in Schenectady, resigned from the priesthood in 1979, according to the spokeswoman for the diocese. He petitioned the Vatican to be “dispensed” from the clerical state — “laicized,” so that he would no longer be a priest — and this was done in 2012, she said. He is now married, but not to the woman whom a recent suit alleges bore his child.

For committing a criminal sex act with a child, James Hockenbury of Guilderland will spend 15 years in state prison, not the 10 agreed upon by his attorney and the Albany County District Attorney’s Office, Judge Peter A. Lynch decided Wednesday morning.

ALBANY — James Hockenbury, 49, of Guilderland Center, now stands accused of sexually abusing more than one young boy.

The children who are victimized should feel no shame. The shame is on us if we don’t work to combat it.