Tag Archives: Fr Michael Kelly

The Diocese of Stockton [California] settled a lawsuit over alleged sexual abuse by Father Michael Kelly. The Diocese agreed to pay the unidentified victim and his attorneys $3.75 million.

The settlement will end more than four-and-a-half years of litigation. A 12-person jury had already found Fr. Kelly guilty of sexual abuse earlier this year, the second phase of the trial started about a week and a half ago.

The victim released a statement Friday morning, stating “This 4½ years of litigation and 10-week trial has been the most difficult experience of my life, but I feel I have received justice today, not for me, but for that 10-year old boy who Fr. Kelly hurt so badly.”

Fr. Kelly is believed to be in Ireland right now, after sending a note to the Diocese stating he had gone there to be with family.

Diocese Settles Abuse Case Against Fr. Kelly (Fox40.com)

Previously: Fugitive Priest’s Letter

Dear Bishop [Stephen] Blaire,

By the time you read this letter I will be in Ireland with my family. I am sorry for any difficulty this may cause the Diocese, but my health can’t take it anymore. I have sat back and listened to the vicious false allegations that have been spread about me for the past 4 ½ years, and my health has suffered greatly because of it. I have spent the last 39 years of my life serving God and the people of the various parishes of the Diocese of Stockton. Now I have not only lost my ministry, but this whole thing has taken its toll on my very being. I have lost everything I have worked for because of these false allegations.

I am mentally and physically spent. The stress of it all is causing my health to decline daily. Since the verdict I am on two kinds of medication for my stomach, I am having chronic bowel problems, I am getting an average of one hour of sleep a night, and I am losing weight at an alarming rate.I hope you will understand that right now I need to be with my family, whose support and love for me is unconditional. I also feel at this juncture that I need to begin the healing process in an environment where I can get the medical care I need with my family nearby. Your faith in me has been unwavering, and for that I will be eternally grateful. I will have the same e-mail address for purposes of continued communication.

Yours in Christ,

Michael Kelly

Irish Priest Michael Kelly flees California after Guilty Verdict In Sexual Abuse Case (RTE)