![](http://a1636.g.akamai.net/7/1636/797/94fb0c3ed8a8f9/graphics.boston.com/globe/images/rules/1x1.gif) |
![](http://a1636.g.akamai.net/7/1636/797/94fb0c3ed8a8f9/graphics.boston.com/globe/images/rules/1x1.gif) |
The Geoghan case |
Latest coverage |
October 25
Victims could now collect
October 2
Geoghan's sister hits guards
October 1
Geoghan's sister to speak
September 27
Conviction erasure protested
Druce is hospitalized again
Guard ad seeks understanding
September 24
Inquiry: Druce beaten as child
September 20
Druce pleads not guilty in slay
Geoghan claims guard assault
September 14
Report says Druce in a rage
September 13
Letter: Druce abused as a boy
September 12
Geoghan bore guards' abuse
Lawyer: Mail deluges accused
September 11
Expanded panel is sought
September 8
Druce is returned from hospital
September 5
Geoghan consultant ties eyed
September 4
Conflict raised on consultant
September 3
Bias concerns raised in probe
September 2
No new panel members seen
August 31
Geoghan panel to expand
Earlier stories
Globe archives
| ![](http://a1636.g.akamai.net/7/1636/797/94fb0c3ed8a8f9/graphics.boston.com/globe/images/rules/1x1.gif) |
Contact Spotlight
| ![](http://a1636.g.akamai.net/7/1636/797/94fb0c3ed8a8f9/graphics.boston.com/globe/images/rules/1x1.gif) |
If you have information on child abuse by priests, call (617) 929-3208
Or leave a confidential message at this number (617) 929-7483
The Spotlight e-mail address is
spotlight@globe.com.
|
![](http://a1636.g.akamai.net/7/1636/797/94fb0c3ed8a8f9/graphics.boston.com/globe/images/rules/1x1.gif) |
![](http://a1636.g.akamai.net/7/1636/797/94fb0c3ed8a8f9/graphics.boston.com/globe/images/rules/1x1.gif) |
Geoghan's troubled history
July 21, 1954
The seminary rector at Cardinal O’Connell Seminary writes a letter
saying that John J. Geoghan has a "very pronounced immaturity."
1962 Geoghan ordained.
FEB. 13, 1962 – SEPT. 27, 1966
Blessed Sacrament, Saugus
1962-1966 The Rev. Anthony Benzevich reportedly tells church officials that
Geoghan brings boys into his bedroom. Benzevich later denies it. In 1995, Geoghan
admits molesting four boys over 2 1/2 years while in Saugus.
SEPT. 27, 1966 – APRIL 20, 1967
St. Bernard’s, Concord
No reason given for abbreviated stay in church records.
APRIL 20, 1967 – JUNE 4, 1974
St. Paul’s, Hingham
About 1968 Hingham father complains to church authorities that he caught
Geoghan molesting his son, one of several accusations that emerged from St.
Paul’s.
About 1968 Treated at Seton Institute, Baltimore.
Early 1970s Joanne Mueller, single mother and member of St. Mary’s parish,
Melrose, says Geoghan molested her four young boys at this time.
Mueller says she informed the Rev. Paul E. Miceli at St. Mary’s. Mueller also says
Miceli asked her to keep quiet. The family later sues and settles. Miceli disputes
her account.
Sept. 8, 1970 Humberto Medeiros named archbishop of Boston. Appointed
cardinal on March 5, 1973. Cardinal Richard J. Cushing dies Nov. 2, 1970.
JUNE 4, 1974 – FEB. 12, 1980
St. Andrew’s, Jamaica Plain
1977-1978 Geoghan is accused of molesting seven boys in the extended Dussourd
family. Six of the children and the mothers later file suits, which are settled.
Feb. 9, 1980 The Rev. John E. Thomas tells Bishop Thomas V. Daily that Geoghan
admitted to molesting the Dussourd children. Daily calls up Geoghan and tells him
to go home. Geoghan admits the abuse and says he "does not feel it serious or a
pastoral problem."
Feb. 12, 1980 Placed on sick leave.
Counseling ordered by Medeiros. Geoghan undergoes psychoanalysis and
psychotherapy with Drs. Robert Mullins and John H. Brennan.
FEB. 25, 1981 – SEPT. 18, 1984
St. Brendan’s, Dorchester
Early 1980s Allegedly rapes and fondles Jamaica Plain boy. (Criminal counts 1 and
2 for the pending Suffolk trial.)
July 24, 1982 Dussourds complain to Daily that Geoghan met one of the molested
Dussourd children at an ice cream shop in Jamaica Plain. Was allegedly also seen
there with another boy.
Aug. 10, 1982 Margaret Gallant writes to Medeiros, complains that Geoghan is
"still functioning," despite molesting her nephews, the Dussourds.
Sept. 17, 1983 Medeiros dies.
March 23, 1984 Bernard F. Law installed as archbishop of Boston. Appointed
cardinal on May 25, 1985.
Sept. 18, 1984 Law removes Geoghan from parish after complaints he molested
boys there.
NOV. 13, 1984 – JAN. 12, 1993
St. Julia’s, Weston
Nov. 13, 1984 Assigned by Law to St. Julia’s, where Monsignor Francis Rossiter is
"aware of past allegations." Geoghan is put in charge of three youth groups,
including altar boys.
Dec. 7, 1984 Auxiliary Bishop John M. D’Arcy writes to Law and complains about
Geoghan’s assignment to St. Julia’s because of his "history of homosexual
involvement with young boys."
Dec. 11, 1984 Dr. Mullins: Geoghan "fully recovered."
Dec. 14, 1984 Dr. Brennan: no restrictions on his work as a parish priest.
Feb. 26, 1985 D’Arcy appointed bishop of Fort Wayne/South Bend, Ind.
1986 Patrick McSorley of Hyde park says he is molested by Geoghan.
Geoghan allegedly molests boys at the Waltham Boys & Girls Club.
Bishop Robert J. Banks is told Geoghan is accused of molesting boy at a pool.
March 9, 1989 Banks learns of another 1986 accusation.
April 3-12, 1989 St. Luke’s Institute, Maryland. Diagnosis: homosexual pedophilia.
April 28, 1989 Geoghan is told by Bishop Robert J. Banks he had to leave ministry.
May 24 - Nov. 17, 1989 Placed on sick leave.
Aug. 10, 1989 - Nov. 4, 1989 Treated at Institute of Living, Hartford. Called
"moderately improved" on release and recommendation is that he be returned to
assignment.
Nov. 30, 1989 Banks is unhappy with the Discharge Summary from the Institute
for Living because it is different from what he understood and he used it to base
his decision on allowing Geoghan to return to St. Julia’s.
Dec. 13, 1989 Letter to Banks explaining the Discharge Summary: "The probability
he would act out again is quite low. However, we could not guarantee that it
would not re-occur." Return to parish OK'd.
Nov. 28, 1990 Note from Banks: "I would recommend him for parish, but decision
left up to [another bishop] and BFL"–Cardinal Law.
Dec. 7, 1990 Letter from Dr. Brennan: Geoghan OK for pastoral work.
Oct. 23, 1991 Complaint about Geoghan "proselytizing" at a pool with a boy.
1993-1996
Regina Cleri residence for retired priests
April 4, 1994 Mother says Geoghan abused her son while he was at St. Paul’s in
Hingham. Geoghan denies the accusation.
Nov. 1994 Single mother from Waltham calls church to say Geoghan molested her
four boys and made obscene phone calls to them. Placed on pre-trial probation.
The case was dropped.
Jan. 16-25, 1995 St. Luke’s report states: He "has a long history of pedophilic
behavior ... Father Geoghan should have no interpersonal contact with male
minors that is unsupervised."
1995 Geoghan allegedly molests a Weymouth boy, including at the christening of
boy’s sister. (Criminal counts 3 and 4 in Suffolk.)
July 29, 1996 Spends four to six months in Southdown Institute, Ontario, for
therapy.
1997
Clergy personnel office
1998 Geoghan defrocked.
Church settles 50 sex abuse cases against Geoghan for more than $10 million;
84 other cases pending.
Globe Staff
Sources: Court documents and medical records
|