Fr. Paul Daleo – Diocese of Paterson

| Nov 24, 2019 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father Paul Daleo

Diocese of Paterson

Ordained: 1977

Left Order: 2003

Assigned as follows:

  • 1978: St. Mary’s Hospital (Passaic, NJ)
  • 1978-1982: St. Edmond’s Academy (Wilmington, DE)
  • 1979-1985: Capuchin Franciscan Friars St. Francis Renewal Center  (Wilmington, DE)
  • 1986-1992: Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Passaic, NJ)
  • 1993: Our Lady of Guadalupe friary (Union City, NJ)
  • 1995-2003: Capuchin Friars Province Stigmata of St. Francis (Union City, NJ)
  • 2003: Leave of absence
  • 2004-2019: Unknown

Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Paul Daleo:

According to media reports, Fr. Paul Daleo, a member of the Capuchin Franciscans religious order, was accused of molesting two minor children. In 1993, officials confronted him with the allegations. They said he was “remorseful”. He was removed from ministry and sent for treatment. Upon his return, he was reassigned to an office job. Both claims were settled confidentially; One was settled for $100,000 in 1995, and the other was settled in 1996 for an undisclosed amount.

In 2003, Daleo left the order, reportedly because he was unwilling to live by newly adopted restrictions U.S. bishops implemented after the clergy sexual abuse scandal made national headlines.

According to media reports, in May 2008, a man filed suit alleging that he was abused for four years by Daleo from 1978 to 1982, while he was a student at St. Edmond’s Academy, a private Catholic school. Daleo worked as a guidance counselor, vice-principal, and chaplain at the school. According to the lawsuit, the priest molested and sexually abused him from the age of 9 to 12. One incident of abuse occurred in a bathroom stall while Daleo was dressed in a clown suit for a school event.

The victim’s father recalled a night when his young son couldn’t sleep. When he asked what was wrong, the boy said, “Dad, “I wish I was dead”. Despite his father pressing to know why, the boy stopped talking.

“I’ve had bulimia ever since I was abused,” the victim said. “It’s something I have to fight every day. Not a day goes by that I’m not burdened about thinking about it”.

In November 2008, Daleo was no longer preaching but was working privately, performing baptisms, funeral rites, and weddings.

Another man filed a civil suit against Daleo in March 2009. The suit alleged he was sexually abused from 1978 to 1979 when he was 16 and 17 years old.

“This was a trusted family friend who ingratiated himself into the family and an institutional culture that believes in containing scandal rather than keeping children safe”, said the man’s attorney.

In December 2011, a total of nine victims settled their claims against Daleo as part of a $7 million total settlement.

His current whereabouts are unknown.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Paterson. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Paterson, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Paterson now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to [email protected] to discuss your options today.