Fr. Edward Francis Donelan

Ordained: 1956
Status: Sued

Died: 12/25/1994
Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe NM

Worked at a boys’ school run by the state and then ran a boys’ ranch operated by the Santa Fe Archdiocese. The state of NM knew of allegations in 1971. Accused of sexually abusing and beating residents. The church ranch was closed after one boy died. At least one civil suit was filed in 1994 by two men. Archbishop Sanchez received complaints in 1976; sent another priest to investigate. Ranch closed shortly thereafter; Donelan remained a priest until his death in 1994. Lawsuit filed in 5/2017 by a man alleging abuse by Donelan and Rev. Laurier Labreche in the late 1980s, when the man was an 11- to 13-year-old altar boy at Church of the Ascension in Albuquerque. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese’s list of accused on 9/12/2017.


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