Father Arthur Harrison
Diocese of San Jose
Ordained: 1956
Retired: 1992
Laicized: 2002
Died: 2006
Assignment History:
- 1956-1960: St. Thomas Aquinas Church (Palo Alto, CA)
- 1960-1964: Our Lady of Loretto Parish (Novato, CA)
- 1964-1967: St. Frances Cabrini (San Jose, CA)
- 1967-1976: St. Raphael’s (San Rafael, CA)
- 1967-1976: San Quentin Prison Chaplain (San Quentin, CA)
- 1976-1987: St. Elizabeth Church (Milpitas, CA)
- 1987-1989: Church of the Ascension (Saratoga, CA)
- 1998: On Leave
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Arthur Harrison:
Fr. Arthur Harrison was ordained a priest in 1956 who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of San Jose. According to media reports, in 2003, he was charged for the sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl in 1961. The abuse took place at Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Novato, California. The case was later dismissed after a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2005, Harrison was included as part of a $21.2 million settlement with the Archdiocese of San Francisco that included two claims amongst a total of 5 priests.
According to media reports, there was an accusation against Harrison of molesting two San Jose girls and having an affair with their mother. Furthermore, it is stated that one of the victims was repeatedly molested in the 1970s by Harrison at his cabin in the Santa Cruz Mountains. At the time, he was a pastor at St. Frances Cabrini parish in San Jose, California when he met her mother, but was not her parish priest. However, Harrison was not charged.
In 2018, Harrison was included on the Diocese of San Jose list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse. It noted allegations reported in 1988, 1990, and 2003 of abuse that took place in 1961 and 1974-1976.
Fr. Harrison died in 2006.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of San Jose 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 Jose 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 toll-free at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.