Fr. John Cornelius

Ordained: 1975
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Seattle WA

Alias John Cornelius McKenna. Seminarian in Boise ID, ordained for the Archdiocese of Seattle. Accused of molesting a boy in eastern Oregon in 1968, while a student at Mt. Angel Seminary. Worked in the Seattle archdiocese 1975-2002. Adopted several youths. Accused by at least 20 of them of abuse when they were minors in the 1970s-1980s. Laicized in 2004. In 2006 two brothers settled with the archdiocese for $1M. Several other cases pending at the time. Included on archdiocese’s list released 1/15/2016 of clergy or religious with admitted, established or credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. On the Boise diocese’s list in 10/2019. Settlement in 2022.

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.