Fr. Paul Calamari
Archdiocese of New Orleans
Ordained: 1980
Removed: 2003
Assigned as Follows:
- St. Mary of the Assumption (Hockessin, DE)
- Holy Cross (Dover, DE)
- St. Peter (New Castle, DE)
- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Belle Chasse, LA)
- St. Stanislaus School (Bay St. Louis, MS)
- St. Raphael (New Orleans, LA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Paul Calamari:
Father Paul Calamari was removed from ministry in 2003 after credible allegations of sexual abuse were made that likely occurred in the 1970’s before he was ordained. His name first appeared on a list of abused priests that was released by Bishop Saltarelli of Wilmington, Delaware in November of 2006.
He was originally ordained in the Archdiocese of New Orleans but began working for the Wilmington Diocese in 1997. Calamari was working for Penn State University’s Center for Survey Research until his name was released by the diocese. He also worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
The Wilmington Diocese released Paul Calamari’s personnel files in February of 2012.
Paul Calamari has also been included on the Archdiocese of New Orleans list of accused clergy that was updated in November of 2018.
In February of 2019, a former altar boy filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of New Orleans, claiming he was sexually abused decades ago by two Catholic priests. The 23-page suit says Michal Fraser and Paul Calamari both worked as clergymen at St. Raphael and molested the victim on several occasions in the 1980’s. The victim recalls going on several sleepover trips with the priests where the abuse would often occur.
Paul Calamari’s last known location since being removed from ministry was somewhere in Pennsylvania. A 2006 Times-Picayune article said that Calamari left New Orleans “on medical leave for treatment” at a Pennsylvania psychiatric center for priests.
In April of 2020, the Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for bankruptcy protection. As part of its bankruptcy, the Archdiocese of New Orleans will be reviewing and paying claims for anyone sexually abused by diocesan priests and lay employees. This will likely include claims filed on behalf of anyone whose case may be beyond the statute of limitations.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for federal bankruptcy protection in April 2020. Our lawyers are now offering free legal consultations to discuss your legal options as a survivor of sexual abuse by priests and other employees of the New Orleans Archdiocese. Very strict filing deadlines will soon be set by the Bankruptcy Court. Most victims of abuse will never be able to recover damages if they miss this deadline, so please contact us to discuss your case today. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to [email protected]