Monsignor John N. Paddack
Archdiocese of New York
Ordained: 1984
Removed: 2019
Assigned as follows:
-
- 1985-2002: Incarnation (New York, NY)
- 1993-1998: Cardinal Hayes High School (New York, NY)
- 1999-2003: St. Joseph by the Sea High School (New York, NY)
- 2004-2010: Monsignor Farrell High School (Staten Island, NY)
- 2011-2012: Church of Notre Dame (New York, NY)
- 2013: St. Vincent de Paul (New York, NY)
- 2014-2020: Church of Notre Dame (New York, NY)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Monsignor John N Paddack:
In 2012, the Archdiocese of New York received a report that Msgr. John N Paddack sexually abused a minor child. Following an investigation, the Archdiocese’s Lay Review Board deemed the accusation as unsubstantiated.
According to media reports, in March 2019, he was publicly accused by one of five men who alleged that he abused them as children in churches and schools in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island between 1988 and 2002. The man said he was a 14-year-old freshman at Cardinal Hayes High School in 1996 when Paddack repeatedly molested him during counseling sessions.
“He took advantage of me when I was at my weakest point,” the alleged victim said. “I believe he should be removed. I don’t know if he is still [abusing] anyone else or any kids out there.”
Paddack denied all of the allegations. No action was taken and he was allowed to remain in ministry. In early July 2019, after at least eight survivors accused Paddack of child sexual abuse, he “resigned” from his position at the Church of Notre Dame in New York. One week later a public nuisance lawsuit was filed alleging the Archdiocese of New York had knowledge of and concealed a public hazard by keeping Paddack in ministry despite multiple allegations of child sexual abuse.
In August 2019, he was accused in a lawsuit filed under the NY Child Victims Act, of sexually abusing a 16-year-old male student of St. Joseph by the Sea High School on Staten Island from 2001 to 2002.
In July 2020, Paddack was accused of child sexual abuse in four new lawsuits filed under the NY Child Victims Act. One suit alleges abuse at Monsignor Farrell High School in Oakwood on Staten Island from 2002 to 2003, when the accuser was about 14 to 15 years old. A second suit alleges abuse at Incarnation School in Washington Heights from 1995 to 1997 when the plaintiff was 13 to 14 years old. A third suit alleges abuse at both Incarnation and Cardinal Hayes High School in Concourse Village in The Bronx from 1990 to 1993 when the student was 13 to 16 years old. A fourth suit alleges abuse at Incarnation from about 1987 to 1990, when the plaintiff was 11 to 14 years old.
As of August 2020, Paddack is still the pastor of Notre Dame Church in Morningside Heights, New York.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of New York. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest or other Catholic clergy in New York State, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of New York now have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in New York and nationwide. We can help.
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