Fr. Patrick O. Colleary: Accused of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor

Fr. Patrick O. Colleary

Ordained, 1974
Assignments:
  • 1975-1977 Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
  • 1978-1984 Holy Spirit, Tempe, AZ (PHX)
  • 1985 Most Holy Trinity, Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
  • 1986-1991 St. Henry, Buckeye, AZ (PHX)
  • 1992-2003 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glendale, AZ (PHX)
  • 2004-2005 Unknown
  • 2006-2010 On Leave (PHX)
  • 2011-2019 Unknown

Fr. Patrick O. Colleary was ordained in the Diocese of Phoenix. In 2002, Fr. Colleary was arrested after he was accused of sexually abusing a minor boy in approximately 1978 at Holy Spirit in Tempe, Arizona. Fr. Colleary was released due to the expiration of the statute of limitations and reportedly fled to Ireland. In 2003, a second survivor alleged child sexual abuse by Fr. Colleary in approximately 1978 at Holy Spirit in Tempe. The United States unsuccessfully attempted to extradite Fr. Colleary from Ireland. Fr. Colleary has been named in at least one child sexual abuse lawsuit. Fr. Colleary was included on the Diocese of Phoenix’s list of “Names of Diocese of Phoenix priests and deacons who have been laicized and/or removed from ministry due to sexual misconduct with a minor.” Fr. Colleary is currently believed to be living in Lockport, Illinois. His status as a priest and whether he has access to children are unknown.