Fr. James A.D. Smith

Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Died: 1/27/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Paterson NJ

Smith was placed on leave in 2002 after allegations he that he sexually abused a boy 1962-1965. The Diocese deemed the allegations credible. A civil lawsuit was filed in 2003 and settled in early 2005. The case was referred to Vatican, which sent it back to the Diocese for a church trial. The trial was held in 2/2005. Found guilty of the abuse of at least one. The Tribunal decided that Smith would be permanently removed from ministry but not laicized. Smith said he would appeal. He died 1/27/2015. Included  2/13/2019 on the Diocese’s list of credibly accused, which notes multiple allegations.


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