Fr. John P. Heaney – Archdiocese of San Francisco

On Behalf of | Dec 12, 2020 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father John P. Heaney

Archdiocese of San Francisco

Ordained: 1953

Dead: 2010

Assignment History:

  • 1953-1960: St. Agnes (San Francisco, CA)
  • 1960-1961: St. Peter’s (San Francisco, CA)
  • 1961-1968: Cathedral of St. Mary (Assumption) (San Francisco, CA)
  • Year unknown: Sacred Heart High School (San Francisco, CA)
  • 1968-1971: On Duty Outside the Diocese/Notre Dame University (South Bend, IN)
  • 1971-1974: Marin Catholic High School (Kentfield, CA)
  • 1974-1979: St. Rita’s (Fairfax, CA)
  • 1975-1977: Archdiocesan Consultors (San Francisco, CA)
  • 1979-1997: Apostleship of the Sea (San Francisco, CA)
  • 1968-2002: San Francisco Police Department (San Francisco, CA)
  • Year unknown: New York City Police Dept. Bomb Squad (New York, NY)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father John P Heaney:

In 2002, Fr. John P Heaney was accused of having molested two brothers in the early 1960s. Heaney was indicted in 2003 for the abuse of one of the boys. The one brother said the abuse started in 1961 when he was 8-years-old and continued for two years until he was 10.

Following the allegations of sexual abuse against minors, Heaney was placed on leave in 2002. According to media reports, he served as chaplain to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) for 35 years and he was allowed to continue his chaplaincy with the SFPD during the investigation.

In 2003, the charges were dropped due to a Supreme Court Ruling overturning a California law regarding statutes of limitation that would have allowed for prosecution.

Heaney’s whereabouts and whether he had access to children from 2003 until his death are unknown. Heaney died in 2010.

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