Fr.  Donald J. Ophais: Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Fr.  Donald J. Ophais

Assignments:

  • 1962-1965 St. Brigid’s, Watervliet, NY (ALB)
  • 1965-1967 Immaculate Conception, Bethel, AK (FBK)
  • 1966-1968 St. Mary’s, Troy, NY (ALB)
  • 1969-1972 St. Mary’s, Little Falls, NY (ALB)
  • 1973-2008 St. Patrick’s, Catskill, NY (ALB) 2
  • 2005-2007 St. Francis de Sales, Troy, NY (ALB)
  • 2009-2010 Immaculate Heart of Mary, Watervliet, NY (ALB)
  • 2010-2011 Retired; 695 5th Ave., Watervliet, NY (ALB)
  • 2012-2018 Retired; Latham, NY (ALB)’
  • 2016-2018 Retired; Colonie, NY (ALB)
  • 2019 Unknown

Notes:

Fr. Donald J. Ophals was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Albany. In 2003, Fr. Ophals was named in a lawsuit that alleged he, along with three other priests, sexually abused a minor from 1975 through 1979. The abuse reportedly occurred at the rectory in St. John the Baptist Church in Schenectady, New York. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2004. Following the allegation, Fr. Ophals was placed on leave. By March 2004, after conducting an internal investigation, the Diocesan Review Board found the allegation unsubstantiated. Fr. Ophals was reinstated at St. Francis de Sales in Troy, New York. In 2011, a second survivor came forward and accused Fr. Ophals and three other priests of child sexual abuse that occurred in Colonie, New York. Fr. Ophals status as a priest, his whereabouts, and whether he has access to children are unknown.