Fr. Francis L. Norris

Order: OSFS
Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Died: 03/24/1985
Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD

A lawsuit filed 11/30/2007 claimed Norris attempted to rape a boy attending Salesianum School 1962. The suit alleged that the School, Order and Diocese had prior knowledge of abuse by Norris. He died in 1985. In 4/2009 three more plaintiffs filed suit claiming abuse at Salesianum. The case against the Diocese settled 10/30/2009. A jury found the Order liable in 11/2009 but awarded no damages. New trial ordered 2/22/2011. Name released as part of the Order’s  $24.8M settlement with 40 individuals in 8/2011 .


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.