Fr. H. Charles Sewall – Diocese of Syracuse

| Jul 30, 2019 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father H. Charles Sewall

Diocese of Syracuse

Ordained: 1960

Elevated to Monsignor: Unknown

Removed: 2003

Died: 2015

Assigned as follows:

  • 1961 – 1963      Our Lady of the Rosary (New Hartford, NY)
  • 1965 – 1971      Utica Catholic Academy (Utica, NY)
  • 1972 – 1976      Utica Faculty House (Utica, NY)
  • 1977 – 1979      Notre Dame High School (Utica, NY)
  • 1980 – 1982      Special assignment (Episcopal Vicar for Eastern Region)
  • 1983 – 1990      Our Lady of Lourdes (Utica, NY)

Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father H. Charles Sewall:

According to media reports, in May 2002, Father H. Charles Sewall was accused of sexually abusing a boy in 1975. He admitted that he “engaged in sexual misconduct” with one man while he was a high school principal. The abuse occurred inside a trailer next to Notre Dame High School in Utica

Two other victims came forward. One had an audio tape from 1988 of a conversation between himself and Father Sewall in which Father Sewall acknowledged the abuse.

The second victim claims Father Sewall had repeated sexual intercourse with him when he was 13 to 19 years old. The attorney for this man had notified the Diocese of Syracuse by letter in 1988 and the complaint was settled with the victim, with the condition that Father Sewall “never be placed in a position where he would be working with minor children,” according to the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit of the third victim, the abuse occurred between 1978 and 1980, in Father Sewall’s office, in the school locker room, in the school restrooms, in the chapel and in a trailer on school grounds.

All three men say Father Sewall gave them money in exchange for sex. The lawsuits claim the Diocese of Syracuse knew about the alleged abuse by him and failed to stop it.

In June 2003, Father Sewall was permanently removed from ministry.

He died in July 2015.

Father Sewall’s name appeared publicly on the Diocese of Syracuse’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors, published in December 2018

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Syracuse in New York.  The Diocese of Syracuse filed for federal bankruptcy protection in June 2020.  Anyone sexually abused by a priest or employee of the Diocese of Syracuse may be entitled to file a claim against the Diocese in these bankruptcy proceedings, but very strict filing deadlines apply.  Most victims of abuse in the Diocese of Syracuse will never be able to take any legal action if they miss this bankruptcy filing deadline, so it is important that you contact us immediately to discuss your potential case.  Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in New York and nationwide. We can help.

Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.

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