Fr. James C. Collery

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

From Ireland. First named publicly as accused by the New Orleans archdiocese on its list 11/2/2018. It notes an allegation received in 2013 of abuse in the early 1980s. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Collery was transferred in 1983 from Metarie LA to a chaplaincy at Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville PA. He died in 1987. A lawsuit filed in 4/2020 claims abuse in the early 1980s of a St. Ann’s in Metarie altar boy, beginning when the boy was age 10. Per the plaintiff’s attorneys, the archdiocese knew in 1983 of an allegation that Collery had abused at least one boy. Multiple others reportedly came forward with allegations of abuse as children by Collery after news of the 4/2020 lawsuit.


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