Fr. John F. Fitzpatrick – Diocese of Albany

| Jun 24, 2019 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father John F. Fitzpatrick

Diocese of Albany

Ordained: 1964

Removed: 1996

Assigned as follows:

  • 1965-1969: St. Columbia (Schenectady, NY)
  • 1970-1973: Our Lady of Mercy (Colonie, NY)
  • 1974-1978: St. Joseph (Broadalbin, NY)
  • 1979: Sacred Heart (Castle-on-Hudson, NY)
  • 1981-1994: St. Mary (Crescent, NY)
  • 1995-1996: St. John the Baptist (Valatie, NY)
  • 1996-1997: Special Assignment (ALB); Villa Mary Immaculate (Albany, NY)
  • 1997-1998: St. Margaret Mary (Albany, NY)

Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father John F Fitzpatrick:

Fr. John F Fitzpatrick was ordained a priest in 1964. According to media reports, in 1993 in an anonymous letter to Bishop Hubbard, Fitzpatrick was accused of sexually abusing a child. When confronted, he admitted to abusing three children. He was sent to a residential treatment program for pedophiles in New Mexico. Later he returned to the Diocese, where he was assigned to a desk job with the diocesan planning office and celebrated Mass with retired nuns. He was permitted to work in the chancery.

More victims came forward in 1996, and Fitzpatrick was asked to resign from the ministry. The Diocese of Albany entered into a confidential settlement agreement with at least one of Fitzpatrick’s accusers. All of Fitzpatrick’s alleged sexual abuse took place before the early 1980s.

Hubbard, Fitzpatrick, and accused Albany priest Fr. John Connolly were seminary classmates.

In November 2018, Fitzpatrick’s name appeared publicly on the Diocese of Albany’s list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Albany. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Albany, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Albany now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to [email protected] to discuss your options today.