Fr. John Donald Gallagher

Ordained: 1940
Status: Sued

Died: 11/12/1968
Diocese: Archdiocese of Louisville KY

A woman filed suit in 2/2002 alleging abuse in 1950 by Rev. “Bernard” Gallagher at Holy Trinity Church. Her attorney said this was actually John Donald Gallagher. She claimed she was a 4th-grader and confessed to the priest that she had touched herself, and that he responded by molesting her. The woman said she developed obsessive-compulsive disorders the next year, washing her hands as often as 20 times a day. Gallagher died in 1968. Included on the archdiocese’s list of accused in 2019.


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.