John Geoghan - Career Summary

Career Summary

Geoghan was a graduate of Cardinal O’Connell Seminary, and was ordained in 1962. On February 13, 1962 he was assigned as an assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Saugus, Massachusetts. That December, Geoghan successfully talked a man out of committing suicide by jumping off the Mystic River Bridge. While at Blessed Sacrament, Rev. Anthony Benzevich allegedly told church officials that Geoghan would bring boys into his bedroom. Benzevich would later deny this.

From September 27, 1966 to April 20, 1967, Geoghan was assigned to St. Bernard’s Parish in Concord, Massachusetts. There is no reason in church records as to why his stay here was abbreviated.

From April 20, 1967 to June 4, 1974, Geoghan was assigned to St. Paul’s Parish in Hingham, Massachusetts. Around 1968, a man complained to church authorities that he caught Geoghan molesting his son. As a result Geoghan was sent to Seton Institute in Baltimore for treatment for his pedophilic sexual impulses. In the early 1970s, Joanne Mueller accused Geoghan of molesting her four young boys. Mueller says she informed Rev. Paul E. Miceli and he asked her to keep quiet. Miceli disputes her account.

Geoghan’s next assignment was at St. Andrew’s Parish in Jamaica Plain. On February 9, 1980 Rev. John E. Thomas told Bishop Thomas Vose Daily that Geoghan admitted to molesting seven boys. Daily then called Geoghan and told him to go home. Geoghan admitted to the abuse, but said that he did “not feel it serious or a pastoral problem.” He was placed on sick leave three days later and ordered to undergo counseling by Archbishop Humberto Medeiros. Under the care of Doctors Robert Mullins and John H. Brennan, Geoghan underwent psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.

On February 25, 1981, Geoghan returned to pastoral work at St. Brendan’s Parish in Dorchester. While at St. Brendan’s, Geoghan allegedly raped and fondled a boy. In 1982 the family of seven of Geoghan’s victims complained to Daily that Geoghan had met one of the molested children at an ice cream shop in Jamaica Plain and was in the company of another child. On September 18, 1984, Bernard F. Law, the new archbishop of Boston removed Geoghan from the parish after complaints that he was molesting children.

On November 13, 1984 he was assigned by Law to St. Julia’s Parish in Weston, Massachusetts. He was put in charge of three youth groups, including altar boys. On December 7, 1984, Auxiliary Bishop John Michael D'Arcy wrote to Law complaining about Geoghan’s assignment to St. Julia’s because of his “history of homosexual involvement with young boys.” That same month Dr. Mullins proclaims that Geoghan “fully recovered” and Dr. Brennan states that there is no need for restrictions on his work as a priest. In 1986 allegations of sexual abuse returned. From April 3 to 12, 1989, Geoghan stays at the Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland. Here he is diagnosed with homosexual pedophilia. On April 28, 1989 Bishop Robert Joseph Banks orders Geoghan to leave the ministry. He is placed on sick leave on May 24 and from August 10 to November 4, he is treated at The Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut. Upon his release, Geoghan is described as “moderately improved” and it is recommended that he return to assignment. Banks is unhappy with the Institute’s Discharge Summary and on December 13, the Institute sends him a letter explaining the Discharge Summary. It states that “The probability he would act out again is quite low. However, we could not guarantee that it would not re-occur.” On November 28, 1990, Banks recommends that Geoghan return to the parish, but leaves the decision up to Cardinal Law and another bishop. On October 23, 1991 the church receives a complaint about Geoghan “proselytizing” with a boy at a pool.