Father Stephen Nichols
Diocese of Burlington
Ordained: 1986
Resigned: 2007
Laicized: 2015
Assigned as follows:
- 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 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 in January 2015 by Pope Francis. 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 Burlington. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Burlington, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Burlington 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.