Fr. James Knelleken

Ordained: 1951
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Seattle WA

A man filed a civil suit in 3/2007 alleging that Knelleken molested him at age 13 multiple times in 1956 or 1957. Per news in 1968, Knelleken was to leave for missionary work with the Maryknoll Missioners in South America. Placed on leave in 1988 after suspicions he was abusing children. Laicized in 1996. Died in 2003. The Archdiocese said he was 1 of 49 priests included in a 2004 investigation. One claim settled in Seattle in 10/2007 for $110K. A second claim settled in 8/2009 for $350K. Included on the archdiocese’s list 1/15/2016 of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations against them of child sexual abuse. Settlement of a claim of abuse in the early 1960s on 12/28/2020.


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