Br. Joe Sharkey

Order: OSM
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

From Ireland. Arrived in Anaheim CA in 1967, assigned to Servite High School. Accused of abuse of a minor 1967-1968, per the 2004 Los Angeles Archdiocesan Report. Named in a civil suit. Included on the Diocese of Orange list of accused clergy. Files released in 2015 reportedly show that Sharkey was accused of sexual misconduct “with at least five students, four of whom are minor seminarians.” A Province official wrote that he didn’t know that Sharkey was a sadomasochist, and that he had heard that Sharkey had “committed the same misdeeds at Benburb Priory in Ireland.” He was sent to USC’s Newman Center for treatment and returned in 6/1968 to Ireland. He was released from the order within the year. He is reportedly deceased.


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