O’Keefe was suspended in 2019 for prior sexual misconduct
From the Diocese of Buffalo, pictured is O’Keefe from WNYCatholic.org
(Buffalo, NY) — Bishop Michael W. Fisher has removed the Reverend Patrick T. O’Keefe from active ministry and suspended his priestly faculties due to allegations of sexual harassment of adults, as well as inappropriate workplace and ministerial conduct.
Fr. O’Keefe, ordained in 1996, has most recently served as Parochial Vicar of Ascension Parish (Batavia); St. Brigid Parish (Bergen); Resurrection Parish (Batavia); and Our Lady of Mercy Parish (LeRoy).
Reverend Scottston Brentwood, O. de M. serves as pastor of the Family of Parishes No. 12, and Reverend Eugene Costa, O. de M. and Reverend Matthew Zirnheld serve as the Family’s other parochial vicars.
A canonical judicial review will be conducted to examine all allegations against Fr. O’Keefe.
The Diocese of Buffalo has developed rigorous protocols for dealing with any allegation of in appropriate conduct—sexual or otherwise— for bishops, members of the clergy, deacons, employees and volunteers. All members of the clergy, pastoral ministers, employees, and volunteers of the Diocese agree to adhere to the Code of Conduct detailed HERE.
Details for reporting abuse and misconduct can be found at the diocesan website linked HERE.
*Editors note: This isn’t the first time O’Keefe has been in trouble. According to WKBW, in 2019 he was placed on a leave of absence and then restored by Bishop Malone. O’Keefe then moved from the Hamburg area to the Batavia area:
Priests accused of “inappropriate discussions” restored: Rev. Arthur Mattulke, Rev. Patrick O’Keefe and Rev. Robert Orlowski were placed on temporary leave of absence following an incident at Saints Peter & Paul Parish Rectory in Hamburg in April.
