Father Patrick McHugh
Diocese of Orange
Ordained: 1943
Died: 1979
Assigned As Follows:
- 1963-1979: St. John’s (Felton, CA)
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father Patrick McHugh:
Father Patrick McHugh was ordained a priest in 1943, who served in the Diocese of Orange. According to media reports, in 2003, at least seven men filed suit against alleging sexual abuse between 1961 and 1968 at St. John’s in Felton. One victim said he told his father about the abuse, which occurred when he was 10 years old, but his father believed Father McHugh’s denials and explanations that he was checking the boy’s legs, and did nothing to stop it.
“I felt trapped, horrified and scared to death,” he said. “I got no help from anybody. And I had to go back and say Mass with this man.”
The suit alleged the Diocese knew or should have known of Father McHugh’s pedophilia and should have protected them from him. It was dismissed in 2005, but six plaintiffs settled with the Diocese of Monterey in September 2006 for $1.5 million and lifetime counseling. According to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at least one survivor has come forward alleging child sexual abuse by Father McHugh from 1972 to 1974.
Father McHugh died in March 1979. In January 2019, he was included on the Diocese of Monterey’s list, as well, noting a 2002 report of child sexual abuse in the 1960s.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Orange 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 Orange now have legal options due to a temporary change in California 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 [email protected] to discuss your options today.