Fr. Linus Hennessy
Born Michael P. 6/28/1918 in Ireland, where he was ordained. Taught at St. Bernardine College in England until 1951, then retreat ministry in Australia. First indexed in the 1955 US.Official Catholic Directory, so may have arrived in in the U.S. (Buffalo NY) in 1954. Had a radio ministry, “Comfort My People” on Christian Broadcasting Network per a 1979 news article. Accused publicly in 2015 of the sex abuse of boy for five years, beginning 1973 when the boy was age 10. Abuse allegedly included oral sex, masturbation and attempted intercourse. Accuser said Hennessy was a father figure who stepped in to help his single mom with her three children. Reportedly a lawsuit v the Buffalo diocese was rejected due to the statute of limitations, and the plaintiff rejected a $50K settlement offer. Accuser asked Pope Francis to investigate his case. Hennessy died 5/9/1983 in Buffalo. Suit filed 8/2019 under the Child Victims Act. Included in 10/2021 on the Holy Name Province Franciscans’ list of those against whom there are substantiated allegations.
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