Fr. Terence O’Donnell – Diocese of St. Petersburg

On Behalf of | Jan 19, 2021 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father Terence O’Donnell

Diocese of St. Petersburg/Salesian

Ordained: 1970

Leave: 2003

Assignment History:

  • 1992-1993: Mary Help of Christians School (Tampa, FL)
  • 1994-1999: Salesian Boys and Girls Club (Boston, MA)
  • 2000-2003: Salesian Provincial House (New Rochelle, NY)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Terence O’Donnell:

Fr. Terence O’Donnell was ordained a priest of Don Bosco’s Salesians Order and worked as a dorm monitor at the Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa, Florida. In a 2003 lawsuit, O’Donnell was accused by two former students of Mary Help of Christians of sexually abusing them in 1992 at the age of 13 while at the boarding school.

Another former student filed a lawsuit in 2004 alleging that Fr. O’Donnell sexually abused him as a child at Mary Help of Christians. The lawsuit alleges the order knowingly allowed one of its priests to have contact with children despite allegations of molestation. When parents complained, he was reassigned to Salesian Boys and Girls Club in Boston and the Salesian Provincial House in New Rochelle, NY. O’Donnell was placed on leave in 2003 after a suit was filed.

In 1993, Fr. O’Donnell was investigated by the Florida Department of Children and Families regarding allegations of child sexual abuse. No charges were ever filed. Fr. O’Donnell is believed to be living in Dayton, Ohio. His status as a priest 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 Diocese of St. Petersburg in Florida.  If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Florida, contact our office today. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Florida and nationwide. We can help.

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