Diocese: Archdiocese of New York
Summary of Assignments:
- 1944: Entered St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, NY
- 1950-1953: St. Peter’s; Rosendale, NY
- 1950-1953: Our Lady Help of Christians; High Falls, NY
- This was a mission of St. Peter’s in Rosendale
- 1953-1955: St. Ann’s; Bronx, NY
- 1955-1974: Cardinal Hayes High School; Bronx, NY
- Teacher
- 1970-1974: Assistant Dean
- 1973-1982: St. Joseph by the Sea High School; Staten Island, NY
- 1973-1979: Supervising Principal
- 1979-1982: Principal
- 1977-1982: Mission of the Immaculate Virgin for he Protection of the Homeless and Destitute Children; Mount Loretto (Staten Island), NY
- In Residence
- 1982-2004: St. Charles; Staten Island, NY
Notes: Monsignor. In October 2003, a 29-year-old man reported to law enforcement and the Archdiocese that Gaffney had sexually abused him in the 1980s, beginning in 6th grade while he was an altar boy at St. Charles Parish and continuing for 3 years. The man’s attorney said he had uncovered evidence that seven other children had been molested by Gaffney and that a second man had come forward with similar allegations while Gaffney was at St. Joseph’s High School. Gaffney was kept in ministry. The first man man sued and Gaffney filed a countersuit. Gaffney died weeks later on March 27, 2004.
Sources: BA.org Assignment Record; Daily Record 01.20.04; Newsday 01.23.04; Daily Record 02.15.04; Press Democrat 03.22.04; Journal News 03.30.04; http://bishop-accountability.org/member/psearch.jsp
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.