Father James Hopkins
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained: 1968
Laicized: 2004
Assigned as Follows:
- 1973 - 1995: South New Jersey Parishes
Summary of Allegations Against Father James Hopkins:
Father James Hopkins was ordained a priest in 1968, who served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to media reports, Diocesan records show that accusations against Father James Hopkins started in 1988 when he was sent for therapy after parents complained that he was abusing their son. Another accusation came to light in 1995, and he was removed from ministry. The abuse took place at St. Aloysius in Oaklyn when the victim was 10 years old. During his time serving in parishes in South Jersey, he allegedly sought help for being attracted to underage boys. According to media reports, he moved to Florida after being defrocked in 1995.
In 1999, the brother of the 1995 victim also accused Father Hopkins of abuse. The abuse of the brothers included groping, fondling, and being forced to perform oral sex. This case was settled between the family and the Diocese of Camden for $625,000 in 2001. Hopkins was arrested in 2003 and laicized in 2004. In 2005, he pled guilty to two charges of sexual abuse from 1995 and was sentenced to 8 years in an Avenel, New Jersey, center for sex offenders.
In 2012, another victim emailed the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He stated that Father Hopkins had given him a "medical exam." He told him to bend over while he was naked and then made lewd comments about his behind. The victim was a freshman at St. Fidelis Seminary High School.
Hopkins is believed to be residing in the Atlantic City, New Jersey, area. He is a sex offender registered with the New Jersey State Police.
Hopkins was named publicly as accused in a priest profile in the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. His name appears on the February 2019 list of credibly accused priests published by the Diocese of Camden. According to Bishop Sullivan, the list, "includes those who admitted to the abuse, those who were found guilty after a trial in the church courts or the civil courts, and others against whom the evidence was so overwhelming as to be virtually unquestionable."
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.