Father James McShane
Diocese of Burlington
Ordained: 1966
Removed: 2002
Resigned: 2003
Assignment History
- 1967-1993 Boy Scouts
- 1969-1995 Vermont Army National Guard
- 1966-1971 St. Mary (St. Albans, VT)
- 1971-1973 St. Peter (Vergennes, VT)
- 1973-1976 St. John Vianney (South Burlington, VT)
- 1976-1982 Camp Holy Cross (Burlington, VT)
- 1982-1987 St. Patrick Fairfield, VT)
- 1987-1992 St. Alphonsus Pittsford, VT)
- 1992-1998 St. Charles Bellows Falls, VT)
- 1998-2002 Immaculate Heart of Mary (Rutland, VT)
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father James McShane:
Father James McShane served as a priest in the Diocese of Burlington in Vermont for approximately 36 years. Much of that time was spent with children in his roles as Chaplain for the Boy Scouts, Diocesan Youth Director at Camp Holy Cross, and director of the state church's Office of Youth Ministry.
According to media reports, in 1975 or 1976, counselors at the camp found 80 photographic slides of naked boys in Father McShane's cabin. The camp director and two other men reported it to then-Bishop John Marshall, who admonished them for having been in the cabin. No action was taken.
"I was shocked and surprised ... (McShane) had these," one of the former counselors said in a 2002 interview with the Free Press. "They were of kids outdoors, in the woods, with no clothes on."
In May 2002, Father McShane was one of six Vermont priests accused of molesting children years earlier and under investigation by the attorney general. He was placed on administrative leave. In January 2003, he resigned as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary.
In October 2002, Father McShane was named in a lawsuit alleging that he "had the opportunity to, and did molest and otherwise sexually abuse a number of pre-teen and teenage boys." The lawsuit added the diocese had "actual knowledge" of some of McShane's alleged misconduct "but took no action to remove him from the priesthood or to investigate his well-known proclivities."
One accuser said Father McShane repeatedly sexually abused him as a 12-year-old altar boy around 1970.
"I want to make sure this doesn't happen again from this man and others. This is something that has torn me apart recently," he said.
In 2004, one suit was settled for $120,000.
In August 2019, his name appeared publicly on the Diocese of Burlington's list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. His current whereabouts are unknown.
The attorneys at Horowitz Law have a long history of representing survivors of child sex abuse. If you or someone you know was abused by a priest in the Diocese of Burlington, please contact Horowitz Law today for a free consultation. We can help you understand your legal options and fight for the justice you deserve. The Burlington Diocese has filed for federal bankruptcy protection, and strict deadlines will soon be set by the bankruptcy court. Please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or e-mail sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation to discuss your options today.