Fr. Peter Brendan Murphy

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Ordained: 1955
Status: Settled

Died: 11/8/1980
Diocese: Diocese of Sioux City IA

Accused publicly 3/30/2016 of raping and sexually abusing a 12-year-old altar boy 1959-1960 at Blessed Sacrament in Sioux City. Murphy’s accuser contacted the Diocese in 1996 and said he got a “dismissive reply.” The Diocese settled with him in 2016. Assignments also included parishes in Danbury, Emmetsburg, Fort Dodge, Bode, Whittemor, Spencer, St. Joseph’s and Cherokee. On leave of absence 1960-1962, in a Denison parish around 1963-1964, then leave of absence again until his death in 11/8/1980 in Jemez Springs NM. Did fill-in work in parishes during his “leave.” After the first man went public, by 9/2016 five more people alleged sexual abuse by Murphy. Included on the Diocese’s list 2/22/2019, which shows 11 allegations of the abuse of boys, occurring 1956-1964.


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