Father David Connell
Diocese of Allentown (Carmelite)
Ordained: 1969
Died: 1995
Assignment History:
- 1973-1976: Nativity High School (Pottsville, PA)
- 1976-1987: Antonian College Preparatory High School (San Antonio, TX)
- 1988-1995: St. Thomas More Church (San Antonio, TX)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. David Connell:
Fr. David Connell was ordained a Carmelite priest in 1969 and served in the Diocese of Allentown. He worked at Antonian College Prep and St. Thomas More parish until he died in 1995. According to media reports, in 2018, he was named publicly as accused in the PA Grand Jury report. It noted that he drugged and abused a minor at Nativity High School in Pottsville, PA, while he was serving as chairman of the Science Department in 1976.
The victim stated both he and his brother were repeatedly sexually abused when they were living at the Order’s priory after their house burned down. This allegation was first made in 2007 to a Carmelite provincial, but the victim claims other church leaders, Fr beat him. Jim Gross and Fr. Timothy Johnson, when he insisted on reporting the abuse to the police 40 years prior.
After reviewing the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report in 2018, the Archdiocese of San Antonio publicly named Connell on its list of credibly accused priests, and two San Antonio accusers have since come forward with claims against Fr. Connell.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Allentown. 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 Allentown may have legal options against the Diocese of Allentown. Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.