Father James Adams
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Ordained: 1963
Death: 2011
Assigned as Follows:
- 5/1963-2/1966: St. Francis Xavier (Pittsburgh, PA)
- 2/1966-8/1966: St. Peter (McKeesport, PA)
- 8/1966-5/1972: St. Raphael (Morningside, PA)
- 5/1972-10/1977: St. Francis of Assisi (Finleyville, PA)
- 10/1977-9/1979: Resurrection (West Mifflin, PA)
- 9/1979-10/1992: St. Isaac Jogues (Elrama, PA)
- 6/1985-11/1985: Leave of Absence
- 10/1992-3/1993: Leave of Absence
- 3/1993-3/1/2003: Leave of Absence
- 3/2003: Withdrew/Dismissed from Ministry
Summary of Allegations Against Father James Adams:
Father James Adams was ordained a priest in 1963, who served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. According to media reports, he was accused of sexually assaulting a boy between the ages of 8 and 12 in the 1970s when he was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi. The victim, who had a conversation on the telephone in July of 1992 with then-Father David Zubik detailing the assault, described Father Adams touching the victim's genitals through his clothes while driving him and other boys to outings.
The boys reportedly fought over who had to sit next to him in the vehicle because he was "strange." In his accusation, the victim noted that Father Adams had engaged in similar behavior with other young boys as well.
Following the accusations, Adams had his ministerial faculties withdrawn. He was sent away from the Diocese of Pittsburgh to St. Michael's Community in St. Louis where he was supposed to be evaluated and treated. He left before completion of the program.
Father James Adams was permanently removed from the ministry in 2003 with reference to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. He died in 2011.
In August 2018, he was first named publicly as accused in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.