Diocese: Diocese of Syracuse
Summary of Assignments:
- 1961-1963: Our Lady of the Rosary, New Hartford
- 1965-1979: Utica Catholic Academy/Notre Dame High School, Utica (merged in 1976)
- 1983-1990: Our Lady of Lourdes
Notes: After accuser came forward in 5/02, Sewall admitted that he “engaged in sexual misconduct” with one individual when he was a high school principal. Two other victims came forward. One had an audio tape from 1988 of conversation between himself and Sewall in which Sewall acknowledged the abuse. Attorney for this man had notified the Diocese by letter in 1988 and Diocese settled. Three suits filed in 2002. Permanently removed from ministry in 6/03. Died July 11, 2015.
Sources: http://www.bishop-accountability.org/; Associated Press 05.03.02; Associated Press 05.10.02; Post-Standard 05.16.02; Associated Press 06.05.02; Post-Standard 06.07.02; Post-Standard 06.07.02; Dallas Morning News 06.12.02; Times-Union (AP) 07.19.02; Times-Union 08.08.02; Post-Standard 11.01.02; Post-Standard 06.18.03; Post-Standard 01.08.04; Post-Standard 02.19.04; Observer-Dispatch 02.24.04; Utica Observer-Dispatch 07.16.15; Syracuse News 02.11.16
Note: Years listed indicate editions of the Official Catholic Directory. Because of the publication schedule of the Directory, a priest listed at a parish in a given year was also likely at that parish for part of the previous year.