Diocese: Archdiocese of New York
Religious Order: Marist Brothers
Notes:
Galligan worked at Church of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady in New York City and at Mount St. Michael’s School in New York City.
In a 2009 lawsuit, a man accused Galligan of sexually abusing him over a period of 5 years from 1977 to 1983, beginning when he was 8-years-old. His grandmother introduced Galligan, a priest at Church of the Nativity, to the family in 1976 and Galligan began visiting their house for Sunday night dinners. The man reported that Galligan showered him with gifts during these visits and in 1977, obtained permission from his parents to take him out on weekends, where the sexual abuse began.
Galligan testified in a video deposition that he did abuse the Plaintiff and he admitted to abusing other boys, but couldn’t remember how many. The trial was held in November 2013 with the jury awarding $2.4 million against Galligan. In 2013, Galligan was reported to be living in a retirement home in Missouri.
Sources: Decision in Elliot v Archdiocese of New York, 06.12.12; News Journal 11.18.13; WDEL (AP) 11.18.13; Delmarva Public Radio 11.19.13; Star-Ledger 11.19.13; USA Today Video 11.19.13; http://www.bishop-accountability.org/