Parker Waichman LLP

Lawsuit Witness Says Daily Intervened In Priest Case

  Bishop Daily Intervened In Priest Case. Brooklyn Bishop Thomas V. Daily, formerly a top-ranking official in the Archdiocese of Boston, intervened with Nahant police in 1977 after two patrolmen spotted a priest apparently engaged in a sex act with a teenage boy in a parked car, according to a published report. Daily assured Nahant’s […]

Church Scandal Priest Case

 

Bishop Daily Intervened In Priest Case. Brooklyn Bishop Thomas V. Daily, formerly a top-ranking official in the Archdiocese of Boston, intervened with Nahant police in 1977 after two patrolmen spotted a priest apparently engaged in a sex act with a teenage boy in a parked car, according to a published report.

Daily assured Nahant’s police chief and the two officers that he would deal with the priest, the Rev. Edward T. Kelley, the Boston Herald reported, citing deposition testimony from a police officer in a civil lawsuit.

Daily, who was then the Boston archdiocese’s vicar general, assured police that Kelley would be formally treated, but archdiocese personnel documents released to plaintiffs’ attorneys and reviewed by the Herald showed no indication that the priest was disciplined or sent for medical help.

Kelley, 58, is the subject of multiple lawsuits from men alleging sex abuse from the mid-1960s into the 1980s. He was suspended from active ministry in 1993 amid abuse charges.

“Kelley could not be prosecuted because Bishop Daily covered up his crime,” said Carmen L. Durso, a Boston lawyer representing alleged sex abuse victims.

“Worse, he was allowed to continue for years in the ministry, and as a result my clients and other boys were sexually abused.”

Frank DeRosa, a spokesman for the Brooklyn diocese, said he had not yet reviewed the claims with Bishop Daily and had no immediate comment.

Daily’s deposition in another case was scheduled to be released Monday. The deposition was taken in August in lawsuits filed by three men who alleged they were molested as children by the Rev. Paul Shanley at St. Jean’s Parish in Newton.

clergy sexual abuse scandal

One of the officers involved in Kelley’s 1977 arrest said in a deposition earlier this month that he alerted prosecutors to the case earlier this year after being “shocked … by the magnitude” of the church’s clergy sexual abuse scandal.

“The bottom line is we stumbled on (Kelley) and a 16- or 17-year-old. I pulled him over. I confirmed it was him,” Gerard D. Perry said in his deposition.

“I got upset with him. I yelled and screamed at him (Kelley).”

Perry said police called the residence of the late Cardinal Humberto Medeiros. He said Daily then met with the police chief.

“The chief and the bishop agreed the bishop would handle this. (Kelley) would go to some place. My vague recollection is New Mexico. Never saw him, never heard of him. No follow up.”

The chief, Joseph Melanson, retired soon afterward and has since died.

Durso said Kelley’s archdiocese personnel filed contains a two-page typewritten letter from the patrolmen detailing the 1977 case.

Need Legal Help Regarding Priest Case?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Thank you Parker you are the best in town. I’m super happy with your services.I will recommend my friends and family. Jorge thank you for everything you did for me
Edgar Fortiz
4 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Gina Viti..My Lawyer with PW LLP.., Gina is an extra special person with Neverending patience..I am OLD SCHOOL..She had to walk me through all necessary steps and did so with knowledge and kind consideration..Not easy to deal with an elder..Gina miraculously got my HEARING going over the phone..Gina is a thorough all encompassing Lawyer..I so much appreciate her and will never forget her
Dorothy Zaharatos
4 weeks ago
5 Star Reviews 150
The firm was professional, always keeping me updated on the process of the case until it was finalized. I would recommend their services.
Overta Smith
a year ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038