August 20, 2010 - Archdiocese Announces Dennis A. Keefe Is Not Longer in Clerical State

ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON
66 Brooks Drive
Braintree, MA 02184
TEL: (617) 746-5775                
FAX: (617) 782-9416

For Immediate Release                                            
Contact:        
Kelly Lynch 
[email protected]
617-413-9074

(Braintree, Massachusetts)  August 20, 2010… The Archdiocese of Boston today announced that the Holy See has decided that Dennis A. Keefe is no longer in the clerical state. Fr. Keefe sought, through a voluntary process, to be removed from the clerical state. As a result of the Holy See’s decision, he ceases to receive any financial support from the Archdiocese and may no longer function in any capacity as a priest, with the exception of offering absolution to the dying.

In 1995, Rev. Dennis A. Keefe was accused of sexually abusing a minor and was placed on administrative leave.

In announcing the Holy See’s decision, Cardinal O’Malley reiterated his concern for all persons impacted by the painful reality of sexual abuse of children and young people by clergy and encouraged any person in need of support services to contact the Archdiocese’s Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach.