Father James Iannarella
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1996
Suspended: 1999
Resigned active ministry: 2003
Laicized (removed from priesthood): 2007
Assigned as follows:
- 1996-1999: St. Joseph (Aston, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father James Iannarella:
According to media reports, in August 1999, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received information that James Iannarella, a relative new priest, was engaged in a sexual relationship with a 17 year old girl at St. Joseph parish. The sexual contact began in May 1999 and continued until the time of the report.
Iannarella was suspended from ministry and sent to St. John Vianney, a notorious treatment facility for pedophile priests in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, that was owned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. After his evaluation, he was ordered by the Cardinal Archbishop to undergo outpatient treatment.
Iannarella never returned to active ministry. He was laicized (removed from the priesthood) in 2007, though it is not clear why there was an 8 year gap between his suspension and laicization. His formal removal came several years after the release of the grand jury report that publicly identified him as an accused priest for the first time.
Iannarella is now 50 years old. He is believed to be residing in Havertown, Pennsylvania, with his wife. At the time of the release of the Philadelphia 2005 Grand Jury Report, he was a working as an administrator at Drexel University.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. 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 Archdiocese of Philadelphia may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so please do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.