Monsignor Patrick O'Keeffe
Ordained: 1956
Removed: 1994
Laicized: 2006
Assigned as Follows:
- 1960-1965: St. John The Evangelist (San Diego, CA)
- 1966-1974: St. Charles Borromeo (San Diego, CA)
- 1975-1976: St. Adelaide (Highland, CA)
- 1977: St. Joseph Church (Loma Linda, CA)
- 1978: SS. Peter and Paul Church (Alta Loma, CA)
- 1977-1983: St. Peter & St. Paul (Alta Loma, CA)
- 1984-1986: Unknown
- 1987-1990: Junipero Serra House of Formation (Riverside, CA)
- 1990-1992: St. Margaret Mary Church (Chino, CA)
- 1993: Unknown
- 1994: Holy Family Church (Hesperia, CA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Monsignor Patrick O'Keeffe:
Monsignor Patrick O'Keeffe, a native of Ireland, was ordained a priest in 1956, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of San Diego. He served Southern California for almost thirty years before being appointed Monsignor in 1988. According to media reports, in 1994, he was removed from ministry amid multiple reports of sexual misconduct. The first three reports were from three women who alleged Monsignor O'Keeffe was guilty of sexual indiscretions. A confidential settlement to end the lawsuit was reached.
Several other sexual abuse allegations came out against him that went as far back as 1958. He left active priesthood that year and retired in 1999. In 2002, he was criminally charged with 15 counts of oral copulation of a 17-year-old girl. The abuse occurred for five months at St. Adelaide Catholic Church in Highland in 1972. He fled to Ireland just weeks before prosecutors charged him. The case was eventually dismissed due to the statute of limitations. In 2006, Monsignor O'Keeffe was laicized.
In March 2007, Patrick O'Keeffe was included in the Diocese of San Diego's list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. The claims against him were included in the Diocese of San Diego's $200M settlement with survivors of child sexual abuse in September 2007.
In October 2010, as part of a settlement with survivors of clergy sexual abuse, the Diocese of San Diego released his personnel file.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of San Diego in California. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in one of California's Catholic dioceses, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of San Diego now have legal options due to a temporary change in the law, 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 California and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.