Fr. James F. Benton
Placed on leave, then retired 2017. In 8/2018 Benton’s 37-year-old nephew stated publicly that the priest sexually abused him as a child in the 1990s, during a sleepover at the rectory. Benton denied the allegations. Case reported to the diocese then sent to the Vatican. In 5/2018 the Vatican responded that any further action was up to the bishop. Bishop Conley imposed restrictions on Benton’s ministry. The nephew said he knew of another victim, allegedly abused at age 14 when Benton was a seminarian. He said the boy told another priest, who did nothing. Benton was reportedly also accused of the sexual abuse of a child in 2000 and may have been sent away for treatment. In 8/2018 Benton was living at a home for retired priests. Included on the diocese’s list 4/2/2019. Per the NE Attorney General’s 11/2021 report, there are three known victims.
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