Father John McCole
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1958
Named in civil lawsuits: 2009
Died: 2015
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father John McCole:
Father John McCole was ordained a priest in 1958 and served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. According to media reports, child sexual abuse allegations against Father John McCole arose during a civil lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Charlotte (North Carolina). The Complaint states the plaintiff was brought to Asheville, North Carolina, by McCole in 1977 or 1978. He was 15 or 16 years old at the time. According to the lawsuit, McCole and another priest, Father Justin Pechulis, forced him to engage in sexual activities on that trip. Pechulis was a priest of the Diocese of Asheville.
The lawsuit also stated that the boy told Cardinal Krol about the abuse while serving as an altar boy at a mass that Krol celebrated. Krol reportedly told the boy that what happened is “just how men behave with each other.” McCole admitted to knowing the boy, but denied the rest of his allegations.
McCole is not discussed in the Philadelphia 2005 grand jury report, nor does his name appear on any of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s lists of credibly accused priests.
He died in 2015.
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.
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