Diocese: Archdiocese of New York
Summary of Assignments:
- 1972: Ordained
- 1972-1974: St. Thomas Aquinas; Bronx, NY
- 1974-1979: Christ the King; Bronx, NY
- 1979-1980: St. Thomas Aquinas; Bronx, NY
- 1977-1993: Cardinal Hayes High School, Bronx, NY
- Teacher
- Guidance Counselor
- 1993-2004: Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, NY
- President
- 2004-2015: St. Margaret of Antioch Parish, Pearl River, NY
Notes:
Msgr. O’Keefe was suspended from ministry in December 2015 after credible allegations of sexual abuse of a male student at Cardinal Hayes High School in the early 1980s. At the time, O’Keefe was a teacher and guidance counselor. The sexual abuse was alleged to have occurred twice – once in New York and once in Virginia. O’Keefe denied allegations. Investigations by the District Attorneys in New York and Virginia led to his removal.
In May 2017 and October 2017, the Archdiocese reportedly settled with the victims through their compensation program.
O’Keefe was laicized in 2016. No charges were brought against him due to the statute of limitations.
Sources: Journal News 12.18.15; The Patch [White Plains] 12.18.15; WABC 12.18.15; Daily Voice 12.19.15; Journal News 12.19.15; 12 News 12.20.15; Catholic New York 12.23.15; New York Daily News 05.30.16; Journal News 09.26.16; New York Daily News 09.26.16; CBS New York 09.27.16; Fios 1 News 09.27.16; The Patch 09.27.16; Irish Central 09.28.16; Journal News 09.29.16; New York Daily News 05.18.17; New York Times 05.18.17; Journal News 05.23.17; Church Militant 10.26.17; LoHud 12.12.17; http://bishop-accountability.org/; BA.org Assignment Record
Note: Years in parentheses indicate editions of the Official Catholic Directory. Because of the publication schedule of the Directory, a priest listed at a parish in a given year was also likely at that parish for part of the previous year.