Jill Connor / The Citizen
Ordained: 1974
Leave without privileges: 2010
Assigned as follows:
- 1975-1977: Blessed Sacrament; Rochester, NY
- 1978-1987: St. Francis Assisi; Rochester, NY
- 1988-2005: Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Rochester, NY
- 1994-2002: St. Michael Church; Rochester, NY
- 1994-2005: Holy Redeemer-St. Francis Xavier; Rochester, NY
- 2006-2010: Holy Family; Auburn, NY
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Dennis J. Shaw:
In 2010, Father Dennis J. Shaw was placed on leave without privileges by the Diocese of Rochester from his position Holy Family Church in Auburn after allegations were made that he abused a child in late 1970s at St. Francis of Assisi in Rochester.
The victim alleged that Shaw abused two boys under 16 years old and, in one of the cases, the victim said the alleged abuse occurred multiple times over a period of several years.
The Diocese of Rochester's internal review board, composed of laymen and clergy members, was tasked with reviewing an earlier investigation into alleged abuse against Shaw dating to the late 1970s and early 1980s when he was the pastor at the now-closed St. Francis of Assisi Church in Rochester.
The board unanimously found the allegations to be "credible and true," according to a release from the Diocese of Rochester.
At the time of the decision, Shaw was living and working in Auburn, New York, but was fired from his part-time job at the YMCA in 2012 when they learned of the review board findings. He is believed to be residing in the Auburn area still.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Rochester. The Diocese of Rochester in New York filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019. Our lawyers are now offering free legal consultations to discuss a potential lawsuit and your other options as a survivor of sexual abuse by priests and other employees of the Rochester Diocese.
Very strict filing deadlines have now been set by the Bankruptcy Court. Most victims of abuse will never be able to recover damages if they miss this deadline, so please contact us to discuss your case today. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com.