Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Syracuse
Whether you need someone to simply listen to your story without judgment or require assistance in navigating the complexities of the New York Child Victims Act—we are ready to help child sexual abuse survivors like you find justice, healing, compensation, and accountability in the Diocese of Syracuse. Our law firm of legal professionals and trauma-informed advocates has spent almost 40 years working with survivors of child sexual abuse and successfully litigating cases against Catholic dioceses and religious orders nationwide. We’ve teamed up with attorney Cynthia LaFave to help with the specific legal needs of survivors and challenges in the Dioceses of Albany, Syracuse, and Ogdensburg.
Diocese of Syracuse Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
On June 19, 2020, the Diocese of Syracuse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Diocese officials made this decision after being named as a defendant in hundreds of clergy sexual abuse lawsuits. During a hearing held on October 15, 2020, in the Diocese of Syracuse’s bankruptcy case, Chief Judge Margaret Cangilos-Ruiz of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of New York determined that survivors of child sexual abuse within the Diocese of Syracuse only had until April 15, 2021, to file claims against the Diocese.
Historically, organizations such as Catholic Dioceses have used Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a shield to prevent jury trials and allow the institution to continue business as usual while maintaining its secrets. This legal tactic can and often does prevent survivors of clerical sexual abuse from pursuing legal action, exposing predators, and holding the Diocese accountable. However, you still have rights and a limited time to exercise these rights. Please visit our Chapter 11 bankruptcy FAQ page for more details about this process.
The Anderson Report: Clerical Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Syracuse
This report contains the names of clergy associated with the Diocese of Syracuse who have been accused of committing sexual offenses against minors. The vast majority of the claims against these individuals have not been evaluated in a civil court. Accordingly, the allegations should be considered just allegations and should not be considered proved or substantiated in a court of law. All individuals should be considered innocent until proven guilty. In many situations, the statute of limitations has expired preventing the cases from being heard in a court of law. This same information can be found at the bottom of this page.
Download the report.
New York Child Victims Act Diocesan Lawsuits Dashboard & Database
Between the opening of the CVA on August 14, 2019, and May 31, 2021, more than 3,300 child sexual abuse lawsuits involving the Catholic Church, its affiliated organizations, its clergy, and its employees were filed in the state of New York. These lawsuits allege abuse by more than 1,700 individuals, including cardinals, bishops, priests, members of religious orders, and lay staff. We analyzed these lawsuits and have presented our analysis as of April 2021 in an interactive dashboard. We invite you to explore summary data by state or diocese, and scroll or search for accused perpetrators by name. View dashboard.
You Are Not Alone. We Are Here to Help.
It’s time for justice. It’s time for you to share your story, safely and confidentially. It’s time to lay down your burden and reclaim some of your power. It’s time to expose those who hurt you and make sure what happened to you never happens to another kid. It’s time to take action under the New York Child Victims Act. Before making a decision concerning such serious and sensitive matters, we encourage all survivors of child sexual abuse to consult with legal counsel before proceeding with a claim. We want to help you find accountability and healing. We will stand by you. We will fight for you.
Clergy Accused of Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Syracuse
The list below contain the names of clergy who were assigned within or working in the New York Diocese of Syracuse who have been accused of sexual misconduct. While lawsuits were filed involving many of these alleged perpetrators, the vast majority of the claims against these individuals have been settled or have not been fully evaluated in a civil or criminal court. Accordingly, the allegations should be considered just allegations and should not be considered proved or substantiated in a court of law.
All individuals should be considered innocent until proven guilty. In some situations, the statute of limitations has expired preventing cases from being heard in a court of law. The information contained herein is an attempt to compile information already available to the public including information obtained from the media, www.bishopaccountability.org, the Diocese’s public statements, lists and reports that were released to the public, and other sources that have attempted to chronicle this information for public use.
