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Diocese of Syracuse ACCUSED PRIESTS

Unfortunately, dioceses throughout the state of New York, the US, and the world have been harbors for child sexual abuse at the hands of clergy members. The dioceses often cover up the abuse, attempting to protect their reputations over protecting the children within the church. However, in recent years, many victims have come forward since the investigation completed by the Boston Globe, exposing the systemic abuse occurring in dioceses all around the globe.

The Diocese of Syracuse provides a list of clergy with credible child sexual abuse allegations against them since 1950. To be included on the list, the allegation must meet at least one of the following requirements to be credible:

  1. Natural, reasonable, plausible, and probable
  2. Corroborated with evidence or a source
  3. Acknowledged or admitted by the accused clergy member
  4. When the Diocese initially released the list in 2019, there were 57 priests listed, including 38 deceased priests and 19 priests who were still alive but removed from the ministry. As recently as April 2021, 371 survivors of sexual abuse filed claims in the Diocese of Syracuse bankruptcy case. Before the most recent filings, there were more than 100 claims of child sex abuse pending against the Diocese of Syracuse. 

All abuse claims against the Diocese were shifted to bankruptcy court from state court after the religious institution filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2020. In bankruptcy court, the victims are now considered creditors who must prove that the Diocese of Syracuse owes them compensation. The shift to bankruptcy court changed the deadline for filing, differing from the one included in the Child Victims Act. The new deadline set by the bankruptcy judge overseeing the case was April 15, 2021.

 In response to the sex abuse allegations filed against it, the Diocese of Syracuse established the Office of Safe Environment and the Office of Victim Assistance, both responsible for integrating the approved standards of the Charter for Protection of Children and Young People with the Diocese’s Catholic values and teachings. The Charter for Protection of Children and Young People established by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002 is a set of procedures for how a diocese addresses allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy.

 The Office of Safe Environment is responsible for educating members of the clergy and volunteers who interact with minors about child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. It requires all clergy, employees, and volunteers to complete Safe Environment Training on preventing sexual abuse of minors, recognizing predatory behaviors, reviewing proper boundaries, and establishing how to create safe environments for children within the Diocese. Each individual required to complete the Safe Environment Training must also complete a renewal training every five years. 

The Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse explained his decision to file bankruptcy as a way to ensure all victims received something for their pain without destroying the Diocese with the vast number of claims.

 If you or someone you know suffered sexual abuse by a member of the clergy of the Diocese of Syracuse, you need to contact an attorney experienced with handling not only sex abuse cases but also cases against the Diocese. A sex abuse attorney can walk you through the filing process, help you gather necessary evidence from the Diocese and your records, and keep you up to date on the progress and requirements of your case. 

It’s always beneficial to have someone there who can answer your questions, alleviate your concerns, and keep you informed on the legal process. Your attorney can act as a trusted confidante and compassionate advocate for you to remind you that you have people on your side and in your corner.

 The sex abuse lawyers at Herman Law are ready and willing to help you fight for the compensation and justice you deserve. You don’t have to go through this challenging time alone. Contact Herman Law today for a free consultation to learn about your legal rights.

Ordained: 1977
Status: Sued
 
Pastor of St. John the Baptist and Transfiguration parishes when placed on leave 11/16 pending a diocesan investigation of allegation he abused a minor 27 years prior at St. Ann’s in Manlius. He denied the allegation. D.A. could not substantiate claims. In 12/16 the diocesan review board deemed the allegations unfounded. Returned to ministry. Accused in a lawsuit 2/14/19, along with Revs. Charles Eckermann and James F. Quinn, of abuse of a 15-year-old altar boy in 1988 and 1989 at St. Ann’s in Manlius. Per plaintiff, Angelicchio at least once stood guard outside a room during a rape by Eckermann. Plaintiff dropped the suit in 5/19. New suit filed in 8/19. Placed on leave in 11/19 after accused in a new lawsuit of sexual abuse of a child 1980-81. Returned to ministry by 2/1/20 after the review board determined it could not substantiated the allegations.
Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Deceased. Noted to have had one claim against him after his death. Added to the Albany diocese’s list 12/4/19, where he was incardinated in 1982. It notes that Bayley retired in 1993 and died in 1994.
Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 12/3/18. Permanently removed from ministry.
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Retired 7/10. Died 12/27/11. Noted to have had one claim against him after his death.
Ordained: 1931
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 12/3/18. Deceased. Noted to have had one claim against him after his death.
Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Permanently removed from ministry. Deceased.
Ordained: 1975
Status: Settled
 
Accused of abusing three boys in two families in the late 1980s. Suits filed in 0/92. Both settled in 1998 for total of $475K. Also sued in Georgia in 1996. Resigned from the Syracuse diocese in 1991, then found living at a rectory in the Rochester diocese. Rochester bishop asked him to leave. Died in 2000. Accused publicly in 2/18 of sexual abuse of a 5th-6th grade boy at St. Paul’s in Oswego in the 1980s. On Syracuse diocese’s list 12/3/18. By 2/14/20 he was accused in six lawsuits filed under the NY Child Victims Act.
Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued
 
Diocese confirmed in 6/17 that Colosimo was permanently removed in 2014 due to credible allegations. His accuser, who contacted the diocese in 2013, filed suit in CT in 6/17, claiming Colosimo sexually abused him there 1987-90, when he was ages 12-15. He said the abuse began when he was age 4 in 1978 or ’79, in the Syracuse diocese, and that the priest threatened to harm him if he told. He said another boy was abused with him at a CT hotel in 1987. Abuse also said to have occurred on trips to PA, NJ, MA. Colosimo denied the abuse. He died 10/26/17. The suit also accuses Robert Ours of abusing the boy, when Ours was a deacon. (Ours pled guilty in 8/14 to child porn possession. Suit filed in CT because NY SOL had expired.) On diocese’s list 12/3/18. By 2/14/20, three claims filed under the NY Child Victims Act.
Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused
 
“Bing.” Accused in the 1970s of abusing teenage girls at a Utica Catholic School. Reported to Msgr. H. Charles Sewall (later known abuser) but Sewall apparently did not report. Nothing found in Crosby’s files. Voluntarily left priesthood in 1975; laicized in 1980. Working as as middle school guidance counselor in 2003. Resigned shortly after the school learned from the D.A’.s office about old allegations. One woman said her mother reported the abuse to the Diocese in the 1990s but no record found. Died in 1/04.
Ordained: 1927
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Deceased. Noted to have had one claim against him after his death.
Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused
 
Pastor in Chittenango, Forestport and Otter Lake. Taught at Seton, Bishop Cunningham, and Bishop Ludden High Schools (formerly Oswego Catholic High). Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have been removed from ministry.
Ordained: 1956
Status: Police report
 
Monsignor. Former school board president. Two retired Syracuse police officers said they warned the diocese in 1984 because Eckermann solicited male prostitutes downtown. Removed in 4/14 after credible allegations of repeated rape of a 15- to 16-year-old altar boy in 1988 -1989 at St. Ann’s rectory in Manlius. Eckermann allegedly threatened to kill the boy if he told. Accuser said he first told the diocese in 2/13. Per diocese, there was an accusation in 2002 by another man who later changed his statement. The man’s attorneys reportedly told the D.A. in 4/15 that an associate pastor at St. Ann’s sexually abused their client along with Eckermann. Sentenced by Vatican to life of prayer and penance. Died 10/21/16. On diocese’s list 12/3/18. New suit 2/19. Accused by four more who sued in 6/20.
Ordained: 1941
Status: Settled
 
Dates of alleged abuse range from 1949 to 1987. In 1998 Furfaro admitted abusing a 19-year-old youth whom he counseled after death of the young man’s sister. Settled for about $75K in 1999. Seven men and boys filed suit 4/03. Furfaro retired in 1991. He was permanently removed from active ministry in 6/03. No criminal prosecution due to the statute of limitations. Died 3/29/10 at age 93. On diocese’s list 12/3/18. Named in three claims as of 2/14/20 under the NY Child Victims Act.
Ordained: 1915
Status: Accused
 
Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued
 
A suit filed by a man in 12/02 alleged abuse as a child by Garstka in 1963. A second man filed suit in 1/03 alleging abuse in the same time period. This plaintiff was living as a child in a foster home and the foster parents wanted him to be an altar boy. He would stay overnight every weekend at the rectory. At least one case was dismissed by state appeals court on SOL in 9/04. On the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Died in 1982. Suits filed by three more people in 6/20, two claiming abuse in the 1960s when Garstka was assigned to St. Patrick’s in Taberg.
Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused
 
Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused
 
Retired 1989. Died 4/25/09. Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18.
Ordained: 1973
Status: Sued
 
Arrested in 1983 for sending child porn through the mail. Charges dropped when he entered a treatment center in New Mexico. Worked in England at a Paraclete home for recovering alcoholics and at a retreat house in CA. In 1997 the Diocese requested that he resign as a priest. Last known to be living in Indio, CA. On diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have been dismissed from the clerical state. Sued under the NY Child Victims Act; accused of abuse of a boy in the early 1980s at St. Mary of the Assumption.
Ordained: 1934
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have had one claim against him after his death. Retired 1973. Died 7/8/88.
Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused
 
Removed from his assignment in 6/02 after allegations resurfaced about “inappropriate behavior” years previously. Incident was first reported in 1990 and Hayes was sent to St. Luke’s for treatment. He had been serving as hospital chaplain since 1991. Per a 6/03 news report, Hayes had been permanently removed from ministry. On diocese’s list 12/3/18.
Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused
 
Hebert was coordinator for religious activities for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. In 1990 a 14-year-old boy accused Hebert of sexually abusing him during a camping trip. Police did not charge Hebert. He did admit the abuse and was sent for treatment. He was a hospital chaplain 1991-1995, then assigned to a parish. In 4/02 he was reassigned to an administrative position. Diocese permanently removed him from active ministry 6/03. On diocese’s list 12/3/18.
Ordained: 1969
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Parish priest. Principal of St. Lucy’s in Syracuse and of Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville. Faculty member then principal of Bishop Grimes High School in Oswego. Dewitt Police Department chaplain, Crouse Hospital chaplain. Died 9/21/04.
Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have had one claim against him after his death. Elevated to Monsignor 1971. Longtime pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows in Vestal. Died 5/10/87.
Ordained: 1935
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have had one claim against him after his death.
Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 12/3/18. Hospital, high school, state school, psychiatric center and police department chaplain. Assigned to parishes in Truxton, DeRuyter and Cicero. Died 12/16/17.
Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued
 
Accused in a 2003 lawsuit of sexually abusing a teenage girl in 1982. Per the plaintiff, she was raped by Msgr. John M. Zeder 1978-81, and then by Keating after she told him about Zeder. Both priests were assigned to St. Mary’s in Cortland, where the girl was a parishioner and worked as a maid. Other alleged victims came forward after publicity around the first case. Three sisters told their story in 1/04 and filed civil suit. Keating remained in ministry until 2/04. He denied all allegations. Privileges removed in 12/04. Case was to be sent to Vatican. Both suits dismissed by appeals court 9/06 on SOL. Keating died 11/17/16. On diocese’s list 12/31/18. In 5/20 a 57-year-old man filed suit, claiming Keating sexually abused him as a child in Binghamton, beginning in 1973.
Ordained: 1941
Status: Sued
 
Accused in a lawsuit filed in 2019 or 2020 under the NY Child Victims Act of sexually abusing a boy for two years in the 1940s at St. Paul’s Academy in Oswego. Died 4/27/90.
Ordained: 1925
Status: Accused
 
Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have been removed from ministry. Accused in a 6/20 lawsuit of raping, sodomizing and sexually abusing a boy, ages 10-18, beginning in 1969 when the plaintiff was a St.Thomas altar boy. The abuse allegedly worsened when the boy became a Catholic Central student and was targeted by Revs.Thomas Zedar and David Pichette.
Ordained: 1961
Status: Sued
 
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 12/3/18. Noted to have been removed from ministry. As of 2/14/20 there were two claims against Lane filed under the NY Child Victims Act.
Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused
 
Ordained: 1961
Status: Sued
 
Resigned from parish in 6/02 after admitting to luring a girl into sex when she was a high school student and continuing for 10 years. The woman complained to the Diocese in 1993, which paid her over $17K for counseling. Lorenz was sent to St. Luke’s, then returned to parish work in 1995. The woman filed suit in 9/02. He was permanently removed from ministry per 6/03 news report. On diocese’s list 12/3/18.

Ordained: 1976
Status: Convicted
 
Pleaded guilty in 1987 to felony counts of sexual abuse of a 10-year-old boy. Sentenced to one year in county jail. Served 8 months. Admitted to sexual contact with five boys between 1981-87. Left priesthood in 1989. Claimed he met all of his victims through the YMCA and not his parish. Also worked in NJ.
Ordained: 1934
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have had one claim against him after his death. Died in 1994 at age 88
Ordained: 1970
Status: Sued
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Laicized. As of 2/14/20 there were three claims filed against Madore under the NY Child Victims Act, one claiming abuse in 1976 of an 8-year-old altar boy. Lawsuits by three more in 6/20. Reportedly left the priesthood in 1987 and was laicized.
Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have been removed from ministry.
Ordained: 1933
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have had one claim against him, after his death. Died in 1981 at age 73.
Ordained: 1964
Status: Sued
 
A man filed suit in 8/02 alleging that Misercola had sexually abused him over a five-year period, beginning when he was age 14. He said Misercola showed him pornographic movies, videotaped and photographed him in the nude, got him drunk and performed oral sex on him. He complained to the diocese in 1997; Misercola “retired” from ministry in 1998. Permanently removed from active ministry in 6/03. On diocese’s list 12/3/18. Died 7/6/19. Sued by three in 6/20, alleging abuse while he was at Bishop Cunningham High School in Oswego 1970-92.
Ordained: 1914
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Deceased. Noted to have had one claim against him, after his death.
Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 12/3/18. Noted to have had one claim against him, after his death. Died in 1990 at age 58.
Ordained: 1954
Status: Settled
 
At a state senate hearing in Albany in 5/03, a man claimed Neary raped him at least 100 times as a child over a twp-year period in the 1960s. The diocese would not discuss case but said they offered to pay for the man’s counseling. As of 1/04 diocese had paid $3000K. Neary retired in 1995. Died 9/01, age 83. Per 2008 articles, there were numerous victims who had not made public allegations. On diocese’s list 12/3/18. Accused in 8/19 lawsuit of abuse 1954-60 of a boy at Camp Nazareth and elsewhere. By 2/14/20 there were five claims against Neary under the NY Child Victims Act.
Ordained: 1980
Status: Convicted
 
Arrested 5/21/14 and charged with possession of six images of a sexual performance by a child. Diocese had reported allegations to D.A.’s office “a few months ago.” Retired in 2012 and was living at a home for retired priests. Not in active ministry after leaving for unrelated personal reasons. Diocese denied any previous allegations against him. Pled guilty to all six charges in 8/14 in a plea agreement. Received 10 years’ probation and ordered to register as a sex offender. Accused in a 6/17 suit of abusing a boy decades prior, when Ours was a deacon. On diocese’s list 12/3/18.
Ordained: 1988
Status: Accused
 
Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have had one claim against him, after his death.
Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued
 
Two men came forward in 2002 to allege that they were abused by Proud in the early 1970s. Sent to St. Luke’s Institute for treatment after the first allegation was received in Spring 2002. Diocese admitted at least one man’s allegations were credible and the man was given a face-to-face meeting with Proud at St. Luke’s. Too late for criminal charges under SOL. Proud was permanently removed from ministry in 6/03. On diocese’s list 12/3/18. Named in a lawsuit filed in 2019 or 2020 under the NY Child Victims Act.
Ordained: 1911
Status: Accused
 
Monsignor. Pastor of St. Mary’s in Oswego 1935-1964. Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Deceased.
Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have been removed from ministry. Taught in 1970s and 1980s at Seton Catholic Central High School in Binghamton. Diocesan chaplain for the deaf, parish pastor in Binghamton and Endwell.
Ordained: 1958
Status: Sued
 
Director of the Office of Vocation Promotion, camp director youth leader, pastor. Placed on leave 5/03 pending investigation of allegations that he sexually abused and exploited a youth, starting at age 13, 1963-70. Suit filed 5/03 (later dismissed on SOL) also claimed Quinn was negligent in death of a camper in 1968 and that Diocese covered for him. Suit on this matter filed 6/04. In 12/04 Diocese cleared him to return to ministry after finding insufficient evidence. Died 2/1/13. Per news in 12/18, Diocese received a complaint in 2014 from another man alleging abuse by Quinn in the late 1980s. Included on Diocese’s list 12/3/18, after the Review Board determined that the allegations 2003 of abuse of a boy 1963-70 were credible. Quinn allegedly plied the boy with alcohol, gave him cash and gifts, would beat him if he resisted. Suit filed 2/19.
Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 12/3/18. Noted to have had one allegation against him, after his death. Longtime pastor of St. Patrick’s on Tipperary Hill. Monsignor. Per obit, was a founding member of the City-Couonty Youth Board, Director of the CYO and found of the CYO Basketball League. Also, Director for Lourdes Camp and Diocesan Athletic Director for Bishop Ludden Junior/Senior High School, Christian Brothers Academy, and Bishop Grimes Junior/Senior High. Retired 1995. Died 7/10/07.
Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled
 
After an accuser came forward in 5/02, Sewall admitted that he “engaged in sexual misconduct” with one individual when he was a high school principal. Two other victims came forward. One had an audio tape from 1988 of conversation between himself and Sewall in which Sewall acknowledged the abuse. Attorney for this man had notified the diocese by letter in 1988 and diocese settled. Three suits filed in 2002. Permanently removed from ministry in 6/03. Died 7/1/15. On diocese’s list 12/3/18.
Ordained: 1917
Status: Accused
 
Ordained: 1971
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Assignments included parishes in Cortland, Johnson City, Binghamton, Syracuse. Died 11/27/15.
Ordained: 1954
Status: Sued
 
Accused in a 6/20 lawsuit of sexually abusing a girl, age 11, while assigned to St. Joseph’s in Utica 1964-65. Somerville’s accuser said he also victimized other girls and that the abuse occurred in in movie theaters, church youth outings and in the priest’s car. Somerville died 11/21/13.
Ordained: 1927
Status: Accused
 
Status: Sued

 

Pastor of an Oswego parish. Accused of abuse of two boys, one of whom filed suit. Portions of the existing litigation were appealed to and ruled on by the Supreme Court of New York regarding negligence – clergy malpractice, etc. and Freedom of Religion. Certain causes of action dismissed but others upheld.
Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have been removed from ministry. Chaplain and counselor at Onondaga Community College. Parochial vicar at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Most Holy Rosary and Our Lady of Pompei. Longtime pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Clay beginning 1996.
Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Deceased. Noted to have had one claim against him, after his death.
Ordained: 1956
Status: Sued
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to have been removed from ministry. As of 2/14/20 there were two claims against Weber under the NY Child Victims Act.
Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued
 
Named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 12/3/18. Ordained for Syracuse diocese. Worked in Diocese of Venice FL 10/88–06. Incardinated into Venice diocese 1/92. Per obit, Zedar retired 9/8/06. Died 2/8/09. Accused along with two other priests in a lawsuit filed in 6/20 under the NY Child Victims Act of sexually abusing a boy. The abuse by Zedar allegedly began in the 1970s when the boy was a Seton Catholic Central High School junior, and included rape.
Ordained: 1954
Status: Sued
 
A woman filed suit in 3/03 (dismissed on SOL 9/06) alleging she was abused by two priests. She said she was raped by Zeder between 1978 and 1981 and abused by Thomas Keating in 1982 after she told him what Zeder had done. She also says that Zeder threatened to put her in a mental institution if she told. The woman said she told Bishop Moynihan in 2002. Zeder was removed from public ministry in 7/02 and permanently removed from active priesthood as of 6/03. On diocese’s list 12/3/18. Noted to be deceased.

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