Joseph D. Flannery

Ordained:
Diocese: Diocese of Scranton

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

In 1964, 1965 and 1966, the Diocese of Scranton received letters about Father Joseph D. Flannery’s affairs with women, his dating a young girl and getting her pregnant, and, being seen on vacation in Atlantic City with this female.  The letters were received from a member of the clergy, a parishioner and the mother of the young girl.

Nothing was found in the file reflecting an investigation or questioning of the priest.

The matter was not referred to the District Attorney’s Office.

On May 6, 2016, the Diocese sent a certified letter to each of the District Attorney’s Offices within the Diocese.  The letter included a list that contained the names of all priests against whom complaints of sexual abuse of minors had been made.  Flannery was included on that 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.