Father Patrick Leonard
Diocese of Charlotte (Augustinian Friars)
Ordained: 1996
Removed: 2003
Known Assignments:
- St. John Neumann Catholic Church (Charlotte, NC)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Patrick Leonard:
Father Patrick Leonard was ordained an Augustinian priest in 1996, and served in the Diocese of Charlotte. According to media reports, in September 2003, Father Leonard was removed from his assignment at St. John Neumann parish after his religious order received a credible allegation that Father Leonard sexually abused a minor in 1998, before being assigned to ministry in North Carolina. The 1,800 families at St. John Neumann were not told for more than five months, until March 2004 as to why the priest left, because "the (alleged) victim wanted it to be held confidential."
The Diocese of Charlotte reported that it had never received any allegations of Father Leonard being inappropriate with minors during his time in Charlotte. It did say, however, that an adult woman complained that Leonard spoke to her a in "lewd" manner.
Leonard's current whereabouts are unknown. He remains permanently out of ministry.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Charlotte in North Carolina. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in North Carolina, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Charlotte now have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in North Carolina and nationwide. We can help.
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