Father James C. Hayes
Diocese of Syracuse
Ordained: 1965
Removed: 2002
Assigned as follows:
- 1966 – 1967 St. Mary (Binghamton, NY)
- 1968 – 1969 Faculty House (Binghamton, NY)
- 1970 – 1972 Unknown
- 1973 St. Louis (Oswego, NY)
- 1974 St. John the Evangelist (Oswego, NY)
- 1974 – 1976 Oswego Catholic High School (Oswego, NY)
- 1977 Oswego City School District (Oswego , NY)
- 1977 – 1978 Bishop Cunningham Catholic High School (Oswego, NY)
- 1978 – 1984 St. Anne and St. John (North Bay, NY)
- 1979 – 1981 Ecclesiastical Attorneys
- 1984 Diocesan Pastoral Council – Northern Region
- 1984 Priests’ Senate
- 1985 – 1988 St. John the Baptist (Syracuse, NY)
- 1989 Diocesan Cabinet – Northern Region
- 1989 – 1990 Board of Diocesan Consultors
- 1989 – 1991 Holy Family (Fulton, NY)
- 1992 – 2002 Community General Hospital (Syracuse, NY)
- 1993 – 2003 St. Michael (Onondaga Hill, NY)
- 1997 – 2003 Special assignment
- 1998 – 2002 Our Lady of Good Counsel (Warners, NY)
- 2003 – 2018 Unknown
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father James C. Hayes:
According to media reports, in June 2002, Father James C. Hayes was removed from his parish assignment as Community General Hospital Chaplain after allegations resurfaced about “inappropriate behavior” years previously, and after three victims filed lawsuits. He had been serving as a hospital chaplain since 1991.
One incident was first reported in 1990 and Father Hayes was sent to St. Luke’s for treatment. The Diocese of Syracuse confirmed that Father Hayes remained active after a person came forward about the abuse.
In 2003, the Diocese stated that Father Hayes had been permanently removed from ministry due to credible allegations of child sexual abuse.
Father Hays’ name appeared publicly on the Diocese of Syracuse’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors, published in December 2018. It released almost no information on the allegations against each priest, including age/gender of the victims, or the priest’s assignment at the time of the alleged abuse.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Syracuse in New York. The Diocese of Syracuse filed for federal bankruptcy protection in June 2020. Anyone sexually abused by a priest or employee of the Diocese of Syracuse may be entitled to file a claim against the Diocese in these bankruptcy proceedings, but very strict filing deadlines apply. Most victims of abuse in the Diocese of Syracuse will never be able to take any legal action if they miss this bankruptcy filing deadline, so it is important that you contact us immediately to discuss your potential case. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in New York and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.