Monsignor Patrick O’Keeffe
Diocese of San Bernardino
Ordained: 1959
Removed: 1994
Laicized: 2006
Assigned as follows:
- 1960-1965: St. John The Evangelist (San Diego, CA)
- 1966-1974: St. Charles Borromeo (San Diego, CA)
- 1975-1976: St. Adelaide (Highland, CA)
- 1977: St. Joseph Church (Loma Linda, CA)
- 1978: SS. Peter and Paul Church (Alta Loma, CA)
- 1977-1983: St. Peter & St. Paul (Alta Loma, CA)
- 1984-1986: Unknown
- 1987-1990: Junipero Serra House of Formation (Riverside, CA)
- 1990-1992: St. Margaret Mary Church (Chino, CA)
- 1993: Unknown
- 1994: Holy Family Church (Hesperia, CA)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Monsignor Patrick O’Keeffe:
Msgr. Patrick O’Keeffe was a native of Ireland. He served Southern California for almost thirty years before being appointed Monsignor in 1988. According to media reports, in 1994, he was removed from ministry amid multiple reports of sexual misconduct. The first three reports were from three women who alleged O’Keeffe was guilty of sexual indiscretions. A confidential settlement to end the lawsuit was reached. Several other sexual abuse allegations came out against him that went as far back as 1958. He left active priesthood that year and retired in 1999.
According to media reports, in 2002, he was criminally charged with 15 counts of oral copulation of a 17-year-old girl. The abuse occurred for five months at St. Adelaide Catholic Church in Highland, California in 1972. He fled to Ireland just weeks before prosecutors charged him. The case was eventually dismissed due to the statute of limitations.
In 2006, O’Keeffe was laicized. In March 2007, his name was included in the Diocese of San Diego’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. Claims against him were included in the Diocese of San Diego’s $200M settlement with survivors of child sexual abuse in September 2007. In October 2010, as part of a settlement with survivors of clergy sexual abuse, the Diocese of San Diego released his personnel file.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in San Bernardino, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to [email protected] to discuss your options today.