Father Edward Flanagan
Joined: 1964
Withdrew: 1971
Died: 2016
Assignment History:
- 1964-1971: Church of St. John and St. Mary (Chappaqua, NY)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Edward Flanagan:
Fr. Edward Flanagan joined the Maryknoll Missionaries as a religious brother in 1956. He was ordained a priest in 1964. Flanagan was accused in a 2019 lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy from 1962-1970, beginning when the child was 4 years old. The victim's family is taking action on his behalf after taking his own life earlier that year at the age of 60.
Flanagan had been a guest in the victim's family's Chappaqua home over the years and even traveled on vacations with them to the Bahamas.
According to the media reports, the victim was first assaulted in 1962, when he was four years old, and continued through 1970, when he was 11. The nature of the alleged sexual abuse is unknown as no details have been provided.
During the 1960s, someone had prescribed psychological counseling for Flanagan, but his superiors allowed him to continue working with children and families, according to court documents.
In 1971, Flanagan left the priesthood and began to follow the teachings of a popular mystic of the 1960s and 1970s, Meher Baba. He was an actor and author until he died in 2016.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of New York. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest or other Catholic clergy in New York State, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of New York 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 New York and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.