Fr. Joseph T. Pritchard

Ordained: 1948
Status: Settled

Died: 10/17/1988
Diocese: Diocese of San Jose CA

Accused of the sexual abuse of at least 19 children, including his nephew. Dates of abuse range from 1956 to the late 1970s. Pritchard was a priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco until the Diocese of San Jose was created in 1981. Died 10/17/1988. During 2002-2003, 23 suits naming Pritchard were filed. He is the subject of several settlements, including 10 claims in a 6/2005 $21.2M settlement with the SF Archdiocese and another 12 claims in a 7/2005 $16M settlement.  Included on the diocese’s list 10/18/2018. Accused in a lawsuit by the sister of a man who died by suicide in 2022 while exploring legal options regarding his abuse by Pritchard as a child.


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