Date of birth: 12/9/1919
Date of ordination: 5/28/1950
Religious Order: Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Abuse History:
One of several accused in 2010 suit against Sioux City Diocese, Oblates & Sisters of the Divine Savior re abuse at Tekakwitha Indian Mission, Sisseton SD. Man and woman alleged sexual abuse late 1960s. Suit dismissed on SOL. Worked in Duluth diocese off & on 1957-1983; also Crookston and New Ulm. Named in civil suits filed 11/19/13 and 2/14 against Crookston, New Ulm dioceses & Oblates. One accuser known in Crookston. Named on 12/31/13 Duluth list. Included on New Ulm list released by Atty Jeff Anderson 08/04/14. Names from 1/14 deposition of Rev. Francis Garvey, former top New Ulm official. Judge ordered Crookston diocese 8/15 to turn over to “John Doe 19” all records of sexual abuse by priests prior to 1985. Doe 19 claimed sexual abuse as boy by Fitzgerald mid-1980s in Naytahwaush MN, on White Earth Indian Reservation. In 11/15 jury awarded $8.1 million to man abused as a boy 1978 in Duluth diocese, He had met Fitzgerald in New Ulm diocese.
Sources: Boston Globe 03.22.02;New Times (LA) 05.12.02;Dallas Morning News 06.12.02; City of Angels 02.28.07; Christian Newswire 03.20.07;Oceanside Camp Pendleton Patch 09.18.13
Assignments in Diocese of Duluth:
- Pastor: St. Michael’s, Northome; Our Lady of the Snows, Bigfork and St. Theresa, Effie – 11/13/1957 – 9/10/1961
- Pastor: Holy Cross, Orr – 9/1/1963 – 9/1/1964
- Pastor: Immaculate Conception, Nett Lake – 9/1/1963 – 8/2/1966
- Pastor: St. Catherine, Squaw Lake – 8/1/1968 – 12/12/1979
- Asst. Pastor: St. Catherine, Squaw Lake – 12/12/1979 – 10/28/1983
Died 9/7/2009