James F. Nolan

Ordained:
Diocese: Diocese of Scranton

From Report I of the 40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

On November 7, 2003, the Diocese of Scranton was contacted by a 75-year-old male who reported that he was groped by Father James F. Nolan when he was a 15 years old altar boy.  The male stated that Nolan had touched his genitals on the outside of his clothing.

The victim was advised that Nolan had died. The victim declined an offer to speak with the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese and stated that he believed that he could now put the matter behind him. This matter was not reported to law enforcement.

On May 6, 2016, the Diocese sent a certified letter to each of the District Attorney’s Offices within the Diocese. The District Attorneys were notified by Bishop Joseph Bambera that in in an effort to further the Church’s ongoing commitment to transparency as it continues to address the sad reality of child sexual abuse, he was submitting for their information a confidential comprehensive list of all priests in the Diocese of Scranton against whom accusations of sexual abuse of children had been made. Nolan’s name was contained on the list.

Additional information regarding the widespread sexual abuse of children within the Catholic Dioceses of Pennsylvania and the systemic cover up by senior church officials is compiled in the Pennsylvania Diocese Victim’s Report published by the Pennsylvania Attorney General following a two-year grand jury investigation.  A complete copy of the Report is available on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s website.