Father Joseph McCafferty
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Ordained: 1961
Died: 2004
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Joseph McCafferty:
Father Joseph McCafferty was ordained a priest in 1961 and served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He served in multiple parishes throughout his career. According to media reports, in February 1994, his name appeared on a secret memo from William Lynn, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Secretary for the Clergy, to James Molloy, the Vicar for Administration for the Archdiocese. The purpose of the memo was to catalog the sexual abuse allegations kept in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Secret Archives, which are files traditionally accessible only by the archbishop and, sometimes, one of his designees.
Under Canon Law, the Archdiocese is required to maintain any potentially scandalous information in the Secret Archives. Of the summary nature of the list Lynn wrote, “only basic information is contained in this report so as not to have too much in writing on this matter.” McCafferty’s name appears in the section labeled “Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors with No Conclusive Evidence,” along with the majority of priests listed in the 6 page memo.
McCafferty was not discussed in the 2005 grand jury report. His name does not appear on any of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s lists of accused priests. No information is publicly available about the nature or context of the allegations made.
McCafferty died in 2004.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so please do not delay in reaching out to us.
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