Fr. Arthur J. O’Brien

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Ordained: 1983
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

The WDC Archdiocese said it received a first report against O’Brien of abuse in 1983. In 2002 a man claimed O’Brien sexually abused him when he was age 14 and O’Brien was a seminarian in Boston. Accused of abuse of a boy in MD 1984-1985. Moved to Hawaii in 1985, allowed to work as priest. Accused of abuse of a HI boy, age 10, in 1989. Convicted in 1992 on three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted sexual assault. Received a 6 month sentence (suspended) and 5 years probation in 1992. Placed on permanent leave in 1993. Per WDC’s list 10/15/2018, O’Brien was also assigned in Alabama sometime during 1985-1989. He died in 2011.


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