Skip to content
Call Today: 888-283-9922
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
    • Adam Horowitz
    • Jessica Arbour
    • Elana Goodman
    • Robin Kissin
    • DeeDee Scheller
    • Eric Cantor
    • Alexandra Slater
    • Attorney Referrals
    • Testimonials
  • Who We Sue For Sexual Assault
    • Churches & Other Religious Organizations
    • Massage Businesses
    • Doctors, Healthcare, & Hospitals
    • Schools & Universities
    • Boy Scouts of America
    • Cruise Ships & Yachts
    • Summer Camp
    • Cheer & Other Youth Sports
    • Sexual Assault By Uber & Lyft Drivers
  • Sexual Abuse Lawyers
    • Child Sexual Abuse
  • FAQ
  • Media Coverage
    • Reported Cases
  • Legal Blog
  • Search
Contact Us

Fr. Michael Emmet Kelly – Diocese of Santa Rosa

Home  >  Sexual Abuse Law Blog  >  Fr. Michael Emmet Kelly – Diocese of Santa Rosa

December 20, 2020 | By Horowitz Law
Fr. Michael Emmet Kelly – Diocese of Santa Rosa

Ordained: 1971

Suspended: 1999

Laicized: 2004

Assignment History:

  • 1973-1979: Our Lady of Fatima (Modesto, CA)
  • 1979-1984: St. Bernard’s (Tracy, CA)
  • 1984-1987: Cathedral of the Annunciation (Stockton, CA)
  • 1987-1997: St. Patrick’s, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and St. Anne’s (Sonora, CA)
  • 1997-2000: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Stockton, CA)
  • 2000: Sick Leave
  • 2001-2002: St. Andrew’s (San Andreas, CA)
  • 2003: On Leave
  • 2003-2004: St. Jude’s (Ceres, CA)
  • 2004-2012: St. Joachim (Lockeford, CA)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Michael Emmet Kelly:

Fr. Michael Emmet Kelly, a native of Ireland, was ordained a priest in 1971, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Santa Rosa. According to media reports, he was removed from ministry in September 2007, after an accusation surfaced that he had sexually abused a boy between 1984 and 1986. He was reinstated in March 2008, after the Diocesan Review Board could not substantiate the accusation.

In 2011, another young man came forward accusing Kelly of sexually abusing him at age 10, between 2000-2002. The case became the focus of a criminal investigation. Kelly denied the allegations and was allowed to remain in active ministry. In 2012, a civil trial related to the first accusation resulted in Kelly being held liable for child molestation. He was removed from ministry, although he and the diocese maintained his innocence.

Fr. Kelly fled to Ireland in 2012, just before he was scheduled to testify in a second phase of the civil trial, which focused on the diocese’s handling of his case. The diocese settled with Kelly’s accuser. In a September 2012 lawsuit, Kelly was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old altar boy in the early 2000s. In November 2012, a third lawsuit was filed by a 22-year-old man who accused Kelly of sexual abuse, including sodomy, in 2000 when he was a 10-year-old altar boy.

Kelly was indicted by a CA grand jury and an extradition warrant for his arrest in Ireland and deportation to the U.S. The charges were dropped in 2016 when the 26-year-old alleged victim died. Kelly remained wanted on unlawful flight charges, and, as of January 2017, he may have been arrested in Morocco.

Kelly’s name is listed as accused by the diocese on its 2019 list of Clergy Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Minor.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa now have legal options due to a voluntary compensation fund created by the Diocese of Santa Rosa, 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.

Safeguard Your Future with Professional Legal Support

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*
Last Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Blogs

  • How Can a Lawyer Help File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Organizations?
  • Fr. Bernard Schmaltz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Fr. Gerald Prinz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Father Gerard Kinane – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • How Do I File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Clergy?
  • Fr. William Mannion, Jr. – Archdiocese of Baltimore
  • Health Department Issues Order Revoking Tommie James’ Massage Therapy License
  • Finding strength: Overcoming blame and embracing courage
  • Horowitz Law Client Sues Fontainebleau Hotel For Sexual Assault in Spa
  • What counts as a sexual assault during a massage?

Skilled Advocacy

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

The physical and emotional pain that stems from sexual abuse and assault can be devastating and have lasting, catastrophic effects on one’s life. If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted or molested, contact a lawyer for sexual assault and child molestation victims today at 954-641-2100.

Meet Our Team

Contact Horowitz Law

While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting with an attorney, please call the firm or complete the intake form.

 

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
110 E Broward Blvd, Suite 1530
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-641-2100
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
  • Blog
  • Team
© 2025 Horowitz Law   Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap