Father Joseph Flannery
Diocese of Scranton
Ordained: 1953
Died: 2005
Assigned as follows:
- 1953-1959: St. John (Honesdale, PA)
- 1959-1963: St. John (Pittston, PA)
- 1963: Holy Savior (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
- 1963-1966: Ascension (Williamsport, PA)
- 1966-1967: Sacred Heart (Jermyn, PA)
- 1967-1970: St. Jude (Mountain Top, PA)
- 1970-1980: St. Francis of Assisi (Mildred, PA)
- 1980-1985: St. Patrick (Nicholson, PA)
- 1985-2000: Immaculate Conception (Taylor, PA)
- 2000: Named Pastor Emeritus of Immaculate Conception
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Joseph Flannery:
Father Joseph Flannery was ordained a priest in 1953, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Scranton. According to media reports, in 1964, 1965, and 1966, the Diocese received letters from parishioners about Joseph Flannery's conduct with women in the parish (saying he was having "affairs" with them), going on vacation with a woman, and, shockingly, impregnating a young girl in the parish. The letters came from multiple people, including the mother of the young girl, and another clergyman.
Nothing in the file reviewed by the grand jury suggests that the Diocese of Scranton ever questioned Flannery about the allegations or otherwise investigated the complaints.
Flannery died in 2005. Nothing suggests that his ministry was restricted or that he had otherwise been punished for the allegations. As far as we can tell, he died a priest in good standing.
In 2018, he was first named publicly as accused in the PA Grand Jury Report. His name was included on the Diocese of Scranton 2018 list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse
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.