Monsignor John J. O'Keefe
Ordained: 1972
Removed: 2015
Laicized: 2016
Assigned as follows:
- 1972-1974: St. Thomas Aquinas (New York, NY)
- 1974-1979: Christ the King (New York, NY)
- 1979-1980: St. Thomas Aquinas (Bronx, NY)
- 1977-1993: Cardinal Hayes High School (New York, NY)
- 1993-2004: Archbishop Stepinac High School (White Plains, NY)
- 2004-2015: St. Margaret of Antioch (Pearl River, NY)
- 2016-2021: Unknown
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Monsignor John J O'Keefe:
Msgr. John J O'Keefe was an educator for most of his career. He was named president of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains in 1982. According to media reports, in 2015, he was accused of sexually abusing a minor Cardinal Hayes High School student between 1981 and 1983. The alleged abuse occurred in a Virginia hotel room during a school trip to Washington D.C. and during a weekend leadership training program at the Irish Christian Brothers' retreat house in Esopus, New York. The allegations were deemed 'credible' by Rockland and Bronx county district attorneys and the district attorney in Virginia. O'Keefe denied the allegations.
O'Keefe was laicized in 2016. By September 2017, two more male accusers had come forward with credible allegations. Charges weren't brought due to the statute of limitations, but in 2017 settlements with the alleged victims were reached.
In April 2019, O'Keefe's name appeared on the Archdiocese of New York's list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors. Claims against him are eligible to be settled through the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP).
His current whereabouts and whether he has access to children are unknown.
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.