Fr. Richard J. Keppeler
Named publicly by the Diocese on its 3/20/18 list as removed, retired, or having left ministry after allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor. Listed as having died in 2011; diocesan list includes deceased priests only if they have more than one allegation. Listed in the 1988 Official Catholic Directory as working at St. Bridget’s in Bergen NY. In 4/2018 a 68-year-old man alleged publicly that Keppeler abused him and other boys at Notre Dame High School, where the priest was Dean of Boys. Accused in a lawsuit filed 8/14/2019 of molesting a 14-year-old at All Saints in Buffalo in 1957. Another 8/14/2019 suit claims Kepeller sexually abused a 16-year-old Notre Dame High School student in 1972. Accused in a 7/2021 lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy, ages 10-15, during 1985-1990 while assigned to St. Brigid. The plaintiff also alleged that Auxiliary Bishop Grosz groped him repeatedly in 1990 after his confirmation ceremony at the parish, and that Grosz commented to Keppeler that he was right about the boy’s good looks.
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