Father James Cotter
Diocese of Buffalo
Ordained: 1950
Died: 1991
Assigned as follows:
- 1951 St. Mary’s (Little Valley, NY)
- 1952-1955 St. Aloysius Gonzaga (Cheektowaga, NY)
- 1956-1958 Most Precious Blood (Angola, NY)
- 1959-1965 St. Cecilia (Oakfield, NY)
- 1966-1978 Our Lady of Lourdes (Bemus Point, NY)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father James Cotter:
Father James Cotter worked for the Diocese of Buffalo until he retired in 1978 and moved to San Diego. According to media reports, allegations of child sexual abuse in Buffalo did not surface until after his death in 1991. In 2003, a civil suit filed in California naming both the Diocese of San Diego and the Diocese of Buffalo, alleged he abused a 7-year-old boy for four years, during private counseling sessions while a student at Nazareth Catholic Elementary School in San Diego in the late 1980s. At least two other victims in California have come forward.
In March 2007, his name was included in the Diocese of San Diego’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. In October 2010, as part of a settlement with survivors of clergy sexual abuse, the Diocese of San Diego released his personnel file. In March 2018, Father Cotter’s name was included in the Diocese of Buffalo’s list of priests who “were removed from ministry, were retired, or left ministry after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.” The list includes deceased priests only if they have more than one allegation.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo and throughout New York. The Diocese of Buffalo filed for federal bankruptcy protection in February 2020. Anyone sexually abused by a priest or employee of the Diocese of Buffalo 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 Buffalo will never be able to take action against the Diocese of Buffalo if they miss this bankruptcy filing deadline, so it is important that you contact us immediately to discuss your potential case.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your legal options today.