Fr. Richard J. Schaefer
Ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 2003 of abusing a boy on many occasions over three years in the early 1960s, beginning when the boy was age 10. From 1958-1961 Schaefer was in charge of a group of young boys who wanted to be priests at Philip Neri in Northport, NY. His accuser alleged that Schaefer also abused five other boys in the group and that he was transferred after parents complained. Schaeffer’s last assignment in the diocese ended 5/15/1962. He was assigned in 9/1962 to a parish in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston WV. The Official Catholic Directory shows was absent on leave from Rockville Centre 1962-1969. Named publicly as accused on the Wheeling-Charleston diocese’s list in late 2018, which notes allegations beginning in 1986 of abuse by Schaefer throughout his career. Faculties suspended 4/10/1986. Died 4/10/1998. Included in 3/2021 on the Rockville Centre diocese’s list of accused.
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