Father Charles Davis
Diocese of Camden
Ordained: 1962
Retired: 1999
Removed from ministry: 2002
Assigned as follows:
- 1962-1964: St. Luke’s (Stratford, NJ)
- 1964-1965: St. Agnes (Blackwood Terrace, NJ)
- 1965-1966: St. Francis (Metuchen, NJ)
- 1966-1967: Brazilian Mission (Brazil, South America)
- 1967-1970: Chaplain, U.S. Army, Organized Reserve Corps
- 1970-1971: Leave of Absence
- 1971-1972: St. Mary’s (Williamstown, NJ)
- 1972-1974: Immaculate Heart of Mary (Woodlynne, NJ)
- 1974-1977: Chaplain, U.S.A.B. [U.S. Army, Berlin] (Fort Benning, GA)
- 1977-1980: Chaplain, U.S. Army (Fort Benning, GA)
- 1980-1992: Chaplain, U.S. Army (Location not specified)
- 1992-1993: St. Michael’s (Cedarville, NJ)
- 1992-1996: Freeport, FL
- 1996-2002: Woodsville, NH
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Charles J Davis:
In 2002, Father Charles J Davis was accused of sexually abusing a boy during his first assignment at Saint Luke’s in Stratford, New Jersey from 1962-64. He was transferred through three more assignments in 3 years: another Diocese of Camden parish, a Diocese of Trenton parish as an extern, and missionary assignment in Brazil, while still incardinated in the Diocese of Camden.
Davis was an Army reserve chaplain from 1967-70, followed by a year-long leave of absence.
Upon his return from leave, he maintained a position as an Army chaplain from 1974-92; He also spent time on duty outside the Diocese from 1992-99 in Florida and New Hampshire, then retired.
In our experience, it is not uncommon for priests accused of abuse to become military chaplains or accept assignments in Central or South America following allegations of abuse. While these assignments are not themselves conclusive of Davis having been accused of abuse prior to 1967, the amount of time he spent outside of the Diocese of Camden is certainly a red flag that will require additional investigation in any lawsuit filed against the Diocese for abuse.
When an accusation of abuse came to light in 2005, the Diocese of Camden asked the Vatican to defrock Davis, however, the Vatican denied the request to laicize him.
Davis’ name appears on the February 2019 Diocese of Camden list of credibly accused priests. According to Bishop Sullivan, the list, “includes those who admitted to the abuse, those who were found guilty after a trial in the church courts or the civil courts, and others against whom the evidence was so overwhelming as to be virtually unquestionable.”
According to the Diocese of Camden, Davis is still living and remains a priest. He is last reported to be living in Bath, New Hampshire.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Camden in New Jersey. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in New Jersey, contact our office today. In October 2020, the Camden Diocese filed for federal bankruptcy protection. The Court will resolve all claims of sexual abuse in this process but strict filing deadlines will apply and no late claims will be considered, so contact us today. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in New Jersey and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.