Fr. John J. Sheehan

Order: SM
Ordained: 1961
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of New York NY

Professed vows in 1950 as a Marianist, New York Province, ordained in 1961. Worked in MD, NY, NJ, PA. Laicized in 1997. Included on the Marianists’ 6/24/2020 list of those “found to have sexually abused a minor.” Added to the Baltimore archdiocese’s list in 2020. A lawsuit filed 1/6/2021 alleges abuse by Sheehan and Br. Al Koch of a girl, age 14, in summer 1974. The girl was a volunteer camp counselor at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General’s Report. In 7/2026 a jury awarded the plaintiff $3M. Between 2021 and 2026 the retreat center was named in five lawsuits by women claiming sexual abuse as children by Koch and Sheehan during 1974-1982, their ages when allegedly abused 4-14.


Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.

Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.