Fr. William J. Dowd
Suspended in 2002 after allegations by two men that he sexually abused them as boys. The case was referred to the Vatican, which sent it back to the Archdiocese for trial. A Church trial was held in 1/2005. Dowd was acquitted; the Vatican did not confirm the verdict until 2007. Dowd returned to ministry as of 7/01/2007, to his job as chaplain for the NY Giants but not to parish ministry. A lawsuit was filed in 12/2019 by one of the two who came forward in 2002, claiming he was sexually abused by Dowd for five years, beginning in 1967 when he was age 12. The suit settled. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 11/2020 of raping a 10-year-old girl in 1971, and abusing her until 1975. Per the suit, two nuns held the girl down during the rape. Dowd denied it.
- The Record 04.09.02
- Star-Ledger 04.10.02
- The Record 09.23.02
- USA Today 11.11.02
- Star-Ledger 07.21.04
- The Record 07.21.04
- The Record 01.14.05
- Star Ledger 01.14.05
- NorthJersey com 06.11.07
- NorthJersey com 06.12.07
- Star-Ledger 06.12.07
- NorthJersey com 07.02.07
- Bergen Record 12.09.19
- NorthJersey com 02.14.20
- Bergen Record via NorthJersey com 11.30.20
- Bergen Record via NorthJersey com 12.01.20
- Montclair Local 12.11.20
Sources:
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.