Father James J. McDevittOrdained: 1997
Removed: 2010
Assigned as follows:
- 1998-1999 St. Pius Church (Loudonville, NY)
- 2001-2002 St. Mary's Church (Ballston Spa, NY)
- 2002-2003 St. Peter's Church/St Mary's Hospital (Delhi, NY)
- 2005-2009 Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Margaretville, NY)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father James J McDevitt:
While serving as the pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Margaretville, Fr. James J McDevitt was accused of sexually abusing at least six boys from 2006-2009. A lawsuit was then filed by four of the alleged victims. McDevitt turned himself in and pleaded not guilty during an appearance in Middletown Town Court on July 16th.
The lawsuit named both McDevitt and the Diocese of Albany as defendants. The Diocese of Albany refused the lawsuit and claimed that Sacred Heart Catholic Church was technically running independently from the diocese, and they should be named in the lawsuit instead. McDevitt eventually pleads guilty to two misdemeanor counts of forcible touching in connection with two of the boys who were 11-years old at the time.
In 2018, McDevitt's name appeared publicly on the Diocese of Albany's list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors.
He was officially removed from ministry in 2010. His current whereabouts since being removed are unknown.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in New York, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Contact us at 888-283-9922. Email us at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com.