Sister Seraphina
Diocese of Norwich (Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth)
Joined Order: Unknown
Left Order: 1989
Died: 2012
Assigned as follows:
- St. Joseph’s Parish (Norwich, CT)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Sr. Seraphina:
Sr. Seraphina was a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN) who served in the Diocese of Norwich. According to media reports, in 2019, a man publicly accused Seraphina of abusing him multiple times as a 6-year-old first-grader back in 1963, at St. Joseph’s in Norwich, Connecticut. She was the boys’ teacher at the time and said the abuse included rape, physical abuse, and threats that if he told anyone, she could take him from his parents. The boy was reportedly hospitalized three times with bladder infections, and genital and hip bruising. He said his parents told doctors, nurses and police the nun abused him.
In 2004, Seraphina’s accuser met with Bishop Cote, who offered to settle but then didn’t. Two years later he said the nun’s order was responsible, according to statements by the victim. The Diocese of Norwich said it would investigate and that in 2004 it had informed law enforcement and the Dept. of Children and Families. They would not release her given name.
Seraphina was not included on the Diocese of Norwich list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse. Her accuser said she also abused at least two other students, including a girl he knew.
Sr. Seraphina left the order in 1989 and died in 2012.
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