Father John Tamalis
Diocese of Scranton
Ordained: 1971
Removed: 1998
Laicized: 2007
Assigned as follows:
- 1971 St. Mary of the Mount (Mt. Pocono, PA)
- 1971-1976 Queen of Peace (Hawley, PA)/St. Boniface (Williamsport,PA)
- 1976-1985 Lycoming College (Williamsport, PA)
- 1985-1990 Holy Child (Mansfield, PA)
- 1990-1996 St. Lawrence (South Williamsport, PA)
- 1996-1997 St. Boniface (Williamsport, PA)
- 1997: Leave of absence
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father John Tamalis:
Father John Tamalis was ordained a priest in 1971, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Scranton. According to media reports, in February 1997, an adult man reported to the Diocese that he was sexually abused by Fr. Tamalis in 1976 when he was 13 years old. He stated that the priest gave him alcohol and then performed oral sex on him.
Tamalis was sent for a psychological evaluation wherein he estimated that he had sexual contact with at least nine boys during his time as a priest, though experts cautioned the Diocese of Scranton that was likely a very low estimate. Tamalis was then placed on a leave of absence from his work as a priest. He was not formally removed from ministry (with suspended faculties) until a year after the first report.
According to the grand jury report, "additional victims" came forward to report abuse by Tamalis, but the report does not include details as to the number of victims, or their ages/genders or Tamalis' assignment at the time of the abuse.
Tamalis was laicized (removed from the priesthood) by the Vatican in 2007.
In 2018, he was first named publicly as accused in the PA Grand Jury report.
Tamalis is believed to be residing in the Unityville, Pennsylvania, area.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Scranton. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Scranton may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Pennsylvania and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.