Skip to content
Call Today: 888-283-9922
Horowitz Law Logo
  • Our Team
    • Adam Horowitz
    • Jessica Arbour
    • Elana Goodman
    • Robin Kissin
    • DeeDee Scheller
    • Eric Cantor
    • Alexandra Slater
    • Attorney Referrals
    • Testimonials
  • Who We Sue For Sexual Assault
    • Churches & Other Religious Organizations
    • Massage Businesses
    • Doctors, Healthcare, & Hospitals
    • Schools & Universities
    • Boy Scouts of America
    • Cruise Ships & Yachts
    • Summer Camp
    • Cheer & Other Youth Sports
    • Sexual Assault By Uber & Lyft Drivers
  • Sexual Abuse Practice
    • Child Sexual Abuse
  • FAQ
  • Media Coverage
    • Reported Cases
  • Legal Blog
  • Search
Contact Us

Fr. George Costigan – Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Home  >  Sexual Abuse Law Blog  >  Fr. George Costigan – Archdiocese of Philadelphia

July 14, 2020 | By Horowitz Law
Fr. George Costigan – Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Father George Costigan


Fr. George Costigan – Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Ordained: 1974

Removed: 1994

Died: 2015

Assigned as follows:

  • 1947-1948:      Ammendale Normal Inst., Bros. of the Christian Schools (Ammendale/Beltsville, MD)
  • 1948-1952:      De La Salle College (Washington, DC)
  • 1952-1953:      Philadelphia Protectory for Boys (Phoenixville, PA)
  • 1953-1954:      St. John's College High School (Washington, DC)
  • 1954-1956:      Holy Family Community (Ammendale / Beltsville, MD)
  • 1956-1957:      Philadelphia Protectory for Boys (Phoenixville, PA)
  • 1957-1958:      St. Francis Vocational School (Eddington, PA)
  • 1958-1961:     Holy Family Community (Ammendale / Beltsville, MD)
  • 1961-1965:     West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys (Philadelphia, PA)
  • 1965-1970:      Holy Family Community (Ammendale / Beltsville, MD)
  • 1970-1971:      St. Bartholomew's parish (San Manuel, AZ)
  • 1970-1971:      St. Helen's (Oracle, AZ)
  • 1971-1974:      Immaculate Conception Seminary (Darlington, NJ)
  • 1974-1975:      St. Cecilia's (Rockaway, NJ)
  • 1975-1993:      Dover General Hospital (Dover, NJ)
  • 1993-2001:      Felician Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi Convent (Mt. Arlington, NJ)
  • 2002-2004:      (Puentenansa, Spain)
  • 2004:                Felician Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi Convent (Mt. Arlington, NJ)
  • 2006:                 Hurricane Katrina relief (Huntsville, AL)

Summary of Allegations against Father George Costigan:

Father George Costigan took vows as a Christian Brother in 1948, and called himself Brother Daniel Eliseus. He left the Christian Brothers in 1971. After training at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington NJ, in the Archdiocese of Newark he was ordained a diocesan priest in 1974. He worked and lived in at least five dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and was incardinated in the Diocese of Paterson NJ. He lived for one year in a parish with a school, and then worked as a hospital chaplain. He was also assigned as priest among members of a women's religious order running a retreat center catering to diocesan youth groups.

According to media reports, in November 1993, an adult female accused Father Costigan of sexually abusing her multiple times, starting when she was eight years old in 1965 through 1972. Father Costigan denied the accusation. At the time of the alleged abuse, Father Costigan was a close friend of the victim's father and a Christian Brother teaching at West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The alleged abuse, which is said to have included rape, continued until she attempted suicide as a sophomore in high school.

That same year, Bishop Rodimer of Paterson changed Father Costigan's status to "retired" and re-assigned him as a chaplain to the Felician sisters convent in Mount Arlington, NJ, where the nuns ran a youth retreat house next door. He was removed from ministry in April 1994.

From approximately 2002 through 2004, Father Costigan lived in Puentenansa, Spain, where he had previously gone on pilgrimage in 1994. He later returned to Mount Arlington.

In 2006, Father Costigan was named auxiliary contract chaplain. He worked at the Army's Redstone Arsenal doing Katrina relief work in Huntsville, AL. despite restricted status in Paterson.

In 2007, Father Costigan violated the terms of his suspension passing himself off as a priest at a Pennsylvania parish. Bishop Serratelli sent him a letter warning him that he could lose benefits. The Diocese of Paterson also sent alert letters in August 2007 to various places where Father Costigan worked or lived throughout the years, including St. Clare's Hospital, Sacred Heart parish in Rockaway, the Felician Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi Convent in Mount Arlington, NJ, and to the Diocese of Birmingham.

In 2009, Father Costigan presented himself again as an active priest. According to media reports, in 2011, amidst the decision of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to suspend 29 priests following an investigation of an alleged sex scandal, one woman reported that he had sexually abused her as a child. The priest was her father's best friend.

In August 2011, Father Costigan's name appeared on the Diocese of Tucson's list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors. He died in September 2015. In February 2019, his name appeared on the Diocese of Paterson's list.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so please do not delay in reaching out to us.

Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.

Safeguard Your Future with Professional Legal Support

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*
Last Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Blogs

  • How Can a Lawyer Help File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Organizations?
  • Fr. Bernard Schmaltz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Fr. Gerald Prinz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Father Gerard Kinane – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • How Do I File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Clergy?
  • Fr. William Mannion, Jr. – Archdiocese of Baltimore
  • Health Department Issues Order Revoking Tommie James’ Massage Therapy License
  • Finding strength: Overcoming blame and embracing courage
  • Horowitz Law Client Sues Fontainebleau Hotel For Sexual Assault in Spa
  • What counts as a sexual assault during a massage?

Skilled Advocacy

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

The physical and emotional pain that stems from sexual abuse and assault can be devastating and have lasting, catastrophic effects on one’s life. If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted or molested, contact a lawyer for sexual assault and child molestation victims today at 954-641-2100.

Meet Our Team

Contact Horowitz Law

While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting with an attorney, please call the firm or complete the intake form.

 

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
110 E Broward Blvd, Suite 1530
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-641-2100
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
  • Blog
  • Team
© 2025 Horowitz Law   Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap