Father James C. Lara
Diocese of St. Petersburg
Ordained: 1957
Died: 2019
Assignment History:
- 1958-1960: St. Paul Parish (Jacksonville, FL)
- 1960: Bishop Kenny High School (Jacksonville, FL)
- 1961-1964: Christ the King (Jacksonville, FL)
- 1964-1967: Assumption (Jacksonville, FL)
- 1967-1968: Blessed Trinity Parish (Jacksonville, FL)
- 1968-1969: Blessed Sacrament (Jacksonville, FL)
- 1969-1999: Church of the Nativity (Brandon, FL)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father James C. Lara:
According to media reports in 2002, Fr. James C. Lara was accused in a 1987 lawsuit for touching and making sexual advances toward the music directors’ daughter at the Church of the Nativity in Brandon, FL. The abuse allegedly began when the girl was 14 and continued for five years. The lawsuit claimed that Fr. Lara touched their daughter numerous times “in a vulgar and offensive manner, including attempting to kiss her in a sexually explicit manner.” The parents also accused Fr. Lara of slandering them and hitting and pushing the wife just before the church fired them.
Per court records, the suit was amicably resolved in 1990. Fr. Lara continued to work at the parish and retired in 1999.
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