Fr. Robert Harrison

Diocese:  Archdiocese of New York, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

Religious Order:  Capuchin Franciscan

Assignments:

• 1964-1965:  St. Francis of Assisi Friary; Milwaukee, WI
  • May have also taught at Messmer High School around this time
• 1965-1967:  St. Benedict the Moor; Milwaukee, WI
• 1967-1971:  St. Francis of Assisi Friary; Milwaukee, WI
• 1971-1976:  Carmelite Home for Boys; Wauwatosa, WI
  • 1971-1973:  Director
  • 1973-1976:  Director of Social Services
• 1977-1978:  Address listed as 800 No. Smith Rd. Apt 6U (near Indiana University); Bloomington, IN
• 1978-1979:  Address listed as 548 W, 150 St., New York City, NY
• 1979-1980:  Address listed as 321 E. 22nd St., Apt. 4N, New York City, NY
  • Said to have been working for the city as a civil attorney
• 1981:  Harrison is indexed in the 1981 Directory as at the Capuchin Friary in Detroit, MI, but he is not listed there in the Detroit pages, nor is there any indication as to his whereabouts
• 1982-1984:  Address listed as 548 W. 150 St., New York City, NY
• 1983-1990:  St. Charles Borromeo; Harlem, NY
• 1991:  Not listed in Catholic Directory for 1991
• 1991-2015:  Cardinal Hayes High School; Bronx, NY
  • Religion Teacher
  • Black History Teacher
  • Basketball Coach
  • Assistant Principal

Notes: Most recently, Harrison worked at Cardinal Hayes High School from 1989 to 2015 as a teacher, basketball coach, and assistant principal. In December 2014, Harrison admitted to the sexual abuse of 10 minors in 1970s and 1980s in NYC and WI. He was borrowing money from staff members and when asked why, Harrison said he needed the money to pay a victim. According to his religious order, Harrison was removed from ministry, sent to a “facility,” and the district attorneys were notified.

Sources:  New York Times 01.05.15; Jeff Anderson & Associates 01.07.15; http://bishop-accountability.org/

Note: Years listed 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.