Fr. Robert E. Kelley

Ordained: 1968
Status: Convicted

Prior to ordination worked in orphanages for girls. Ordained in 1968. Sexually assaulted and raped an 8-year-old girl in Southbridge within a year of his ordination. The girl told Kelley’s superior, who told her she was exaggerating. Kelley was convicted in 1990 and 2003. He admitted abusing 50-100 girls 1976-1983. Sentenced to two separate prison terms (1990-1996 and 2003-2008) for different abuses. Registered sex offender. Several civil suits. First civil suit filed in 1993. In 1997 one plaintiff was awarded $527K from Kelley. Ceased to be an active priest in 1986. Two lawsuits settled in 2006. Laicized in 6/2015, after which diocesan support was discontinued. In 2015 Kelley was reportedly living in a homeless shelter in Boston.

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