Fr. John Zeder – Diocese of Syracuse

| Jul 28, 2019 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father John Zeder

   Diocese of Syracuse   

Ordained: 1954

Elevated to Monsignor: Unknown

Removed: 2003

Died: 2014

Assigned as follows:

  • St. Ambrose (Endicott, NY) 
  • Holy Rosary (Maine, NY) 
  • Seton Catholic High School (Endicott, NY)
  • St. Anthony’s Church (Endicott, NY) 
  • St. Patrick (Chittenango, NY)
  • St. Mary (Cortland, NY) 
  • St. Malachy (Sherburne, NY) 
  • St. Ann (Syracuse, NY)

Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father John Zeder:

According to media reports, in March 2003, a woman filed civil lawsuit suit alleging she was abused by two priests. She said she was raped by Father John Zeder as a teenager at St. Mary Church in Cortland between 1978 and 1981, and abused by Father Thomas Keating in 1982 after she told him what Father Zeder had done. She also said that Father Zeder threatened to put her in a mental institution if she told anyone, and later stalked her when she went to college. The woman said she told Bishop Moynihan in 2002. 

In July 2002, Father Zeder was removed from public ministry and permanently removed from active priesthood in June 2003.

The woman’s case was dismissed in September 2006, as the statute of limitations had expired.

Father Zeder died in 2014. His name appeared publicly on the Diocese of Syracuse’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors, published in December 2018.  

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Syracuse in New York.  The Diocese of Syracuse filed for federal bankruptcy protection in June 2020.  Anyone sexually abused by a priest or employee of the Diocese of Syracuse may be entitled to file a claim against the Diocese in these bankruptcy proceedings, but very strict filing deadlines apply.  Most victims of abuse in the Diocese of Syracuse will never be able to take any legal action if they miss this bankruptcy filing deadline, so it is important that you contact us immediately to discuss your potential case.  Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in New York and nationwide. We can help. 

Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.