James John Hogan (October 17, 1911 – June 14, 2005) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown in Pennsylvania (1966–1986). He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Trenton in New Jersey (1959–1966).


James John Hogan
Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown
Titular Bishop of Philomelium
SeeDiocese of Altoona-Johnstown
In office1966 to 1986
PredecessorJ. Carroll McCormick
SuccessorJoseph Victor Adamec
Orders
OrdinationDecember 8, 1937
by Ralph Leo Hayes
ConsecrationFebruary 25, 1960
by Bishop George W. Ahr
Personal details
Born(1911-10-17)October 17, 1911
DiedJune 14, 2005(2005-06-14) (aged 93)
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, US
DenominationRoman Catholic
EducationCamden Catholic High School
St. Charles College
St. Mary's Seminary
Pontifical North American College

Biography

edit

Early life

edit

Hogan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and moved with his family to Camden, New Jersey, at a young age.[1] After graduating from Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, he studied at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland. Hogan then entered St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore and afterwards the Pontifical North American College in Rome.[1]

While in Rome, Hogan was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Ralph Leo Hayes on December 8, 1937.[2]

Auxiliary Bishop of Trenton

edit

On November 27, 1959, Hogan was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Trenton and Titular Bishop of Philomelium by Pope John XXIII.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on February 25, 1960, from Bishop George W. Ahr, with Bishops James A. McNulty and James Griffiths serving as co-consecrators.[2]

Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown

edit

Hogan was named bishop of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown by Pope Paul VI on May 23, 1966; he was installed on July 6, 1966.[2]

Retirement and legacy

edit

On October 17, 1986, Pope John Paul II accepted Hogan's resignation as bishop of Altoona-Johnstown.[2]

In 1994, Hogan was found liable for the actions of a Catholic pedophile priest, Francis Luddy.[3] The jury found that the diocese and Hogan "knew that (Luddy) had a propensity for pedophilic behavior." Evidence and testimony are amply demonstrated.[4] The diocese and Hogan were "negligent in retaining him (Luddy) and his activities." The diocese paid $1.2 million in damages initially, and an additional $1 million award is pending.

James Hogan died on June 14, 2005, at Garvey Manor Nursing Home in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania,[1] at age 93.

On March 1, 2016, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced that as bishop, Hogan was at the forefront of a major cover-up scandal involving the sexual assault of hundreds of children by diocese priests.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Retired Bishop James J. Hogan of Altoona-Johnstown dies at 93". Catholic News Service. 2005-06-15. Archived from the original on 2005-06-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Bishop James John Hogan". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 21 January 2015.[self-published source]
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-04. Retrieved 2010-03-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Evidence Reveals Diocese Cover-up". www.bishop-accountability.org.
  5. ^ "50 Church Officials Accused of Child Sexual Abuse". 2 March 2016.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop of Trenton
1960–1966
Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown
1966–1986
Succeeded by