Diocese of Syracuse NY - BishopAccountability.org

61 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Paul F. Angelicchio

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 the claims. In 12/16 the diocesan review board deemed the allegations unfounded. Returned to ministry. Accused in a lawsuit filed in federal court 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. Suit was "stayed" in 5/19. The man filed another suit in 8/19, in Onondaga County Supreme Court. Angelicchio was placed on leave in 11/19 after he was 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.

Sources:

Fr. Thomas Bayley

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Sources:

Fr. Robert J. Birchmeyer

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 12/3/18. Permanently removed from ministry.

Sources:

Syracuse site 12.03.18
Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Robert F. Bogan

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Assignments:

Observer Dispatch Obituary 12.38.11

Sources:

Observer Dispatch Obituary 01.07.12
Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Roger A. Bowen

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1931
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Paul A. Brigandi

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/3/18. Permanently removed from ministry. Deceased.

Sources:

Fr. Nathan Brooks

Ordained: 2019
Status: Charged

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Arrested on 8/31/2023, charged with forcibly touching a teenage girl 2019-2021, beginning when she was age 14. Administrator for four parishes when charged. Suspended.

Sources:

Fr. Daniel W. Casey

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1975
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. Felix R. Colosimo

Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Donald J. Crosby

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1963
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

"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.

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Fr. John H. Donovan

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1927
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/3/18. Deceased. Noted to have had one claim against him after his death.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Edmund J. Durr

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Sources:

Syracuse site 12.03.18
Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Charles H. Eckermann

Ordained: 1956
Status: Police report

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. Francis J. Furfaro

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1941
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. Luke V. Gallagher

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1915
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 1/2/18. Deceased.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Bernard A. Garstka

Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. Donald L. Gorman

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/3/18. Died 5/12/93.

Assignments:

The Post-Standard Obituary 05.14.93

Sources:

The Post-Standard Obituary 05.14.93
Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Thomas F. Guyder

Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Retired 1989. Died 4/25/09. Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/3/18.

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Fr. John F. Harrold

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1973
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. Ferdinand A. Hattala

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1934
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Assignments:

The Post-Standard Obituary 07.11.88

Sources:

The Post-Standard Obituary 07.11.88
Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Syracuse Post Standard Obituary 09.23.04

Sources:

Syracuse Post Standard Obituary 09.23.04
Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18
Syracuse site 12.03.18

Fr. Edgar M. Holihan

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. Edgar P. Humphrey

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1935
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/3/18. Noted to have had one claim against him after his death.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18
Syracuse site 12.03.18

Fr. David J. Jutton

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. Thomas F. Keating

Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Fr. William J. Kiefer

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1941
Status: Sued

Died: 04/27/1990
Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Sources:

Palladium Times 07.26.20

Fr. Edward X. Kieley

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1925
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/3/18. Deceased.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Robert J. Kloster

Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. C. Vincent Lane

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1961
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18
Syracuse com 02.14.20

Fr. Steven J. Litz, Jr.

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/3/18. Deceased.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. William A. Lorenz

Ordained: 1961
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. John Lugowski

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1976
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. William J. Lynch

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1934
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Sources:

Syracuse site 12.03.18
Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Edward C. Madore

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1970
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. George F. Mattice

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/3/18. Noted to have been removed from ministry.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. John A. McCarthy

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1933
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18
Syracuse site 12.03.18

Fr. Chester A. Misercola

Ordained: 1964
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. William J. Morris

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1914
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/3/18. Deceased. Noted to have had one claim against him, after his death.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. John J. Morse

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Sources:

Syracuse site 12.03.18
Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Thomas E. Neary

Ordained: 1954
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. Robert A. Ours

Ordained: 1980
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Fr. Edward George Quaid

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1911
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

Monsignor. Pastor of St. Mary's in Oswego 1935-1964. Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 12/3/18. Deceased.

Sources:

Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18
Oswego County News 12.05.18

Fr. James A. Quinn

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Sources:

Syracuse site 12.03.18
Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. James F. Quinn

Ordained: 1958
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Fr. Francis L. Sammons

Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

Assignments:

Syracuse Post Standard Obituary 07.12.07

Sources:

Syracuse Post Standard Obituary 07.12.07
Diocese of Syracuse List 12.03.18

Fr. Thomas J. Zedar

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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.

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Fr. John M. Zeder

Ordained: 1954
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse NY

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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Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.