Fr. Francis Brennan

Diocese of Scranton

Ordained: 1954

Died: 1974

Assigned as follows:

1954-1965: St. Therese (Shavertown, PA)
1957-1965: Vicar Econome, Diocese of Scranton
1965-1970: Marian Convent (Marywood, PA)
1970-1974: St. Maria Goretti (Laflin, PA)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Francis Brennan:

According to media reports, the Diocese of Scranton received two reports, including one made to then-Bishop Jerome Hannan personally, that Fr. Francis Brennan molested a 12-year-old altar boy at St. Therese parish. The boy's parents received assurances from Bishop Hannan that he would "take care of it," which they understood to mean Brennan's removal and surrender to police, but nothing was done.

Brennan remained at St. Therese for several more years before being moved to a new parish. The boy, who grew to be a man, sued the Diocese of Scranton in 2005. The Diocese moved to dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds that it was filed too late (so that it was barred by the statute of limitations). A judge agreed, and the Diocese celebrated the victory in the media.

In 2010, a second man came forward and reported that he was molested in approximately 1960 as a 15 or 16 year old boy. He reported that Brennan took him to a drive-in movie and touched him inappropriately in the car.

In 2018, his name was included in the PA Grand Jury Report.

Brennan died in 1974 as a priest in good standing and still in active ministry.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Scranton. 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 Diocese of Scranton may 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 Pennsylvania and nationwide. We can help.

Fr. Francis Brennan – Diocese of Scranton