As the Number of Accusations Mount, Cardinal Dolan Eludes Transparency, Protects Paddack
(New York, NY) – Today, on behalf of two brave survivors, attorneys from the law firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates filed two child sexual abuse lawsuits under the New York Child Victims Act (CVA) against the Archdiocese of New York, identifying Monsignor John Paddack as a perpetrator. Both survivors have maintained their anonymity. As of these filings, fifteen (15) lawsuits brought under the CVA allege child sexual abuse by Fr. Paddack.
“Paddack’s history of abuse and Dolan’s protection of Paddack are inextricably intertwined,” said attorney Jeff Anderson, whose firm represents twelve survivors abused by Paddack. “We are honored to stand with these courageous survivors who are breaking their silence and reclaiming some of the power that was taken from them as kids. It’s the survivors that are holding the Archdiocese and Cardinal Dolan accountable.”
The lawsuit filed on behalf of ARK382 Doe alleges abuse from 1987 – 1989 when ARK382 Doe was 12 – 13 years old. The alleged abuse occurred at Incarnation Parish (New York) where Paddack was a parish priest.
The lawsuit filed on behalf of ARK383 Doe alleges abuse from 1996 – 1998 when ARK383 Doe was 15 – 17 years old. The alleged abuse took place at Incarnation Parish (New York) where Paddack was a parish priest, and at Cardinal Hayes High School (Bronx) where Paddack was a teacher.
“I have held my stories of abuse in silence for a long time,” said ARK382 Doe. “After watching other survivors come forward, I have become inspired by their courage and feel compelled to speak out and add my voice. It is about more than what happened to me; it’s about the cover-up.”
At a press conference on June 25, 2019, courageous survivor Joseph Caramanno spoke publicly for the first time regarding his abuse by Paddack while a student at St. Joseph by the Sea High School (Staten Island), where Paddack was assigned from 1999 to 2003. At the time of the press conference, Paddack was still in ministry and under the supervision of Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Since then, the firm has helped multiple survivors bring claims against the Archdiocese under the CVA.
As detailed in a 2019 investigation by Al Jazeera English’s Fault Lines, Cardinal Timothy Dolan allowed Paddack to remain in ministry despite having knowledge of the multiple allegations of abuse. Paddack has yet to be included on the Archdiocese of New York’s list of credibly accused clergy and is believed to still reside at the Church of Notre Dame in Morningside Heights.
“These lawsuits demonstrate Paddack’s pattern of predation: in each instance, exploiting his clerical power to abuse children,” said Anderson. “By allowing Paddack to continue to function as a priest in any capacity, Cardinal Dolan chooses the protection of predators over the protection of children in his flock.”