Fr. John W. Dowling
Ordained for the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta. On leave 1947-1951. Worked in the Sacramento diocese 1947-1981. Faculties withdrawn and dismissed from Sacramento diocese after a report in 1981 of child pornography. Three allegations of abuse of boys under age 14, occurring 1954-1981, were received by the Sacramento diocese in 2002, 2004 and 2019. Included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused in 4/2019. On the Atlanta archdiocese’s list in 11/2020. Included in the GA PAC’s Report 3/24/2023. It details six reports of abuse of children. One alleged abuse ages 7-12 beginning in 1940 in Savannah. The boy told his mother about the abuse when he was in 7th grade, and Dowling was moved to Atlanta. Report in 2019 of abuse in 1975 in CA of a boy, ages 11-12. Another child was allegedly molested in 1972, reported in 1981. Dowling retired to FL after law enforcement told the Diocese they would press charges if he stayed in the county. Another report was of abuse in 1975, another in 1954-1955, and another in 1983. Dowling died in 2000.
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