Father Peter Duvelsdorf
Diocese of Rockville Centre
Ordained: 1958
Removed: 1997
Died: 2009
Assigned as follows:
- 1958-1965 St. Raphael Parish (East Meadow, NY)
- 1965-1971 St. Mary of the Isle (Long Beach, NY)
- 1971-1974 St. James (Seaford, NY)
- 1974-1978 St. Rose of Lima (Massapequa, NY)
- 1978-1981 Christ the King (Commack, NY)
- 1981-1986 St. Patrick (Huntington, NY)
- 1986-1991 Holy Family (Hicksville, NY)
- 1991-1996 Holy Cross (Vero Beach, FL)
- 1996-1997 St. Paul of the Cross (North Palm Beach, FL)
- 1998-2009 St. Pius X Residence (Uniondale, NY)
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father Peter Duvelsdorf:
According to media reports, in 1978, Father Peter L. Duvelsdorf was accused of sexually abusing two minor brothers multiple times at various locations on the parish property of St. Rose of Lima in Massapequa, New York, in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The alleged abuse occurred in the school library, the faculty lounge, the big supply closet in the nurse’s office, in the sacristy of the church. And, finally, in the priest’s room in the rectory.
Years later, one brother said, “I feel guilty that I let it happen in the first place. And I feel even more guilty that I didn’t say anything when it first happened, because maybe if I had I would have saved my brother.”
When the parents found out, they called their pastor who offered the boys counseling, and promised to take care of everything. Within two days, Father Duvelsdorf was no longer at the parish. He served at several parishes before moving to Palm Beach, FL in 1991, and worked in parishes there.
According to media reports, in November 1997, Father Duvelsdorf was arrested and charged with public lewdness for exposing himself at a park in St. Lucie County. Once again, he was removed from his parish. Per court order, he underwent counseling, and was banned from having any contact with children while serving his probation. He retired in 1998 and died in June 2009.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in New York, contact our office today. In October 2020, the Rockville Centre Diocese filed for federal bankruptcy protection. The Court will resolve all claims of sexual abuse in this process but strict filing deadlines will apply and no late claims will be considered, so contact us today. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in New York and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.