Father Charles McColgan
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1964
Died: 1993
Named in civil suit: 1994
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Charles McColgan:
The allegations against Father Charles McColgan, a priest of the Diocese of Camden, came to light during a lawsuit against the Diocese of Camden (New Jersey). According to media reports, in a 2002 trial testimony, a man said that was sexually abused by New Jersey priest John P. Kelly, who eventually introduced him to McColgan at age 12 or 13.
According to the victim-witness, McColgan sexually abused the child on multiple occasions in a bathhouse where Kelly often brought him. The bathhouse was located in Philadelphia, which suggests the New Jersey-based priests had a modus operandi of transporting children to Philadelphia in order to abuse them.
The Diocese of Camden's official response to the media was to say that since the victim eventually became a doctor, he should have realized he was a victim of abuse before he turned 20 and that the entire matter should be dismissed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Ultimately, a judge agreed and dismissed the case.
McColgan was not discussed in the 2005 grand jury report. He does not appear on any of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's lists of credibly accused priests, likely because he was not incardinated in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. However, his name does appear on the list published by the Diocese of Camden in February 2019.
McColgan died in 1993.
For more information on McColgan's history in the Diocese of Camden, including his assignment history, click here.
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 [email protected] to discuss your options today.