Father Jose Lopez Durango
Diocese of Paterson
Ordained: 2011
Removed: 2013
Assigned as follows:
- St. Mary’s Assumption (Passaic, NJ)
- St. Nicholas (Passaic, NJ)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Jose Lopez Durango:
According to media reports, in July 2013, Fr. Lopez Durango was arrested, on a complaint that he lured a 14-year-old parishioner at St. Mary’s Church in Passaic, New Jersey into his private quarters within the church rectory. Authorities say he put the girl on his lap and began to kiss her and engage in sexual contact.
In June 2016, Durango was convicted by a jury of second-degree luring, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, authorities said. The jury acquitted him on a second-degree charge of attempted sexual assault but did convict him on the child luring charge.
In November 2016, Durango was sentenced to six years in prison and parole supervision for life. He was released from prison in November 2018 but is not listed in the New Jersey Sex Offender database.
Durango is a native of Colombia but had been working in the Diocese of Paterson on a religious work visa. He may have been deported back to Colombia upon his release from prison. The Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Website identifies several men with the same name who have been deported or who are currently in ICE custody awaiting deportation.
Lopez Durango’s name appears on the Diocese of Paterson’s February 2019 list of credibly accused priests.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Paterson. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Paterson, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Paterson now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to [email protected] to discuss your options today.