Fr. Joseph F. Sharpe: Accused of Sexual Misconduct With Minors

Fr. Joseph F. Sharpe

Ordained: 1943
Assignments:
  • 1943-1944: Holy Name, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1944: Transfiguration, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1944-1946: U.S Navy chaplain
  • 1946: Visitation, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1946-1948: St. Agnes, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1949-1950: U.S Navy
  • 1951: Our Lady of Victory, Compton, CA
  • 1951-1952: Catholic University, Washington D.C.
  • 1952: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1952-1953: Catholic Girls School, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1953-1954: Pius X High School, Downey, CA; St. Emydius, Lynwood, CA
  • 1955: U.S Navy Tour of Duty
  • 1956-1959: Unknown
  • 1960: Superintendent of Schools, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1960-1964: Christ the King, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1964-1975: Santa Clara, Oxnard, CA
  • 1974-1975: Removed from pastorate
  • 1976: Incardinated into Diocese of Orange
  • 1976-1977: St. John the Baptist, Costa Mesa, CA
  • 1978-1998: St. John Vianney, Balboa Island, CA
  • 1999: Died

At least two survivors have come forward alleging child sexual abuse by Msgr. Joseph F. Sharpe between approximately 1958 and 1964. In 1971, a survivor wrote to Archbishop Manning and alleged that his confessor Msgr. Sharpe sexually abused him while he was a junior in high school. The Archdiocese personnel board forced Msgr. Sharpe to resign in 1973 for “various personal problems” and undisclosed “job performance issues.” Shortly after his forced resignation, he was incardinated in 1976 into the Diocese of Orange. Msgr. Sharpe was named in a 2003 civil lawsuit. Msgr. Sharpe was included in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors.

Detailed Clergy Assignment Record: Msgr. Joseph F. Sharpe