Priest accused of sexual misconduct

Father Joseph Dunne worked at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 1992

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has confirmed that Father Joseph Dunne, an extern priest from Scotland who worked briefly in the Archdiocese, was accused of sexual misconduct of a female minor in January 1993 while he was still at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Newhall.

According to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, at least one survivor has come forward alleging child sexual abuse by the Rev. Joseph Dunne in approximately 1993, which is why he’s included in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors.

“Without permission from or notification to the archdiocese, Fr. Dunne also spent time at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Santa Clarita from the summer of 1992 until January 1993,” according to an investigative story published in The Sunday Post of Scotland. Dunne’s current status as a priest, current whereabouts and whether he has access to children are unknown, but he was instructed to remain in residence without ministering during the law enforcement investigation.

Officials at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles say they “were not aware” of the previous allegations against Dunne when he was granted this license, according to the report. The Los Angeles Archdiocese admitted to providing Dunne with “temporary faculties” – a license that allowed him to work as a priest, take confession and work with children.