Father Stephen Nichols
Diocese of Burlington
Ordained: 1986
Resigned: 2007
Laicized: 2015
Assignment History
- 1986-1989 Christ the King (Rutland, VT)
- 1989-1991 St. John the Evangelist (St. Johnsbury, VT)
- 1991-1993 St. Mary (St. Albans, VT)
- 1993-1996 Sacred Heart (Troy, VT)
- 1996-2000 Sacred Heart, (Troy, VT); St. Ignatius (Lowell, VT)
- 2000-2007 St. Elizabeth, Lyndon State College (Lyndonville, VT); Our Lady Queen of Peace, (Danville, VT)
- 2003-2007 St. James the Greater Parish (Island Pond, VT); St. Bernard Mission (Norton, VT)
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father Stephen Nichols:
Father Stephen Nichols served as a priest in the Diocese of Burlington in Vermont for approximately 21 years. According to media reports, in April 2005, an 18-year-old boy reported an incident to Vermont State Police that Father Nichols took him to a Quebec pool hall and then allegedly molested him in Richford while he was drunk. The Diocese of Burlington learned about the incident through an anonymous tip in August 2005 and hired a private investigator to look into it. Four months later, the case was turned over to the Attorney General's Office.
In April 2006, Father Nichols was placed on leave of absence. In September 2006, he was charged with sexually molesting the teen. He claimed that the young man had a troubled past and was the aggressor in the incident.
In May 2007, Father Nichols pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of engaging in a lewd act and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years probation. He was also ordered to get sex offender treatment.
Father Nichols resigned as pastor in June 2007 and was laicized by Pope Francis in January 2015. In 2019, Father Nichols' 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.