Fr. Joseph J. Gallagher

Ordained: 1963
Status: Sued

Died: 06/5/2018
Diocese: Archdiocese of Philadelphia PA

Per the 2/10/2011 Grand Jury Report II, a man told the archdiocese in 2007 that Gallagher repeatedly fondled him when he was a 7- or 8-year-old altar boy at St. Mark’s in Bristol, PA. Another man had  made a similar allegation the previous year. The man who came forward in 2007 reported that others had also been abused. The Review Board deemed both reports unsubstantiated in 2008. The man who came forward in 2007 died by suicide within a year of the Review Board’s decision. Gallagher “retired.” He was removed in 2/2011. New suits in 4/2011 and 9/2012. Found unfit for ministry in 4/2013. Permanently removed. Died 6/5/1208. Funeral mass concelebrated by Bishop Maginnis.

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