Fr. Walter J. Downs
Assigned in Nazareth PA, Batavia IL, Sparta WI, Oceanside and Upland CA, Warwick RI, Youngstown OH, Namibia. Died 4/16/2019. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 2026 of sexually abusing a boy, age 10 or 11, on multiple occasions in 1974 or 1975. Downs was pastor St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wakefield and the boy was an altar server. Downs allegedly told the boy he didn’t have to wear clothes under his robe.
Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.
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.