Messer, Joseph (Fr.)

Father Joseph Messer was ordained on May 27, 1961. In 2008, a survivor reported that Messer had sexually abused him in 1975 or 1976 when he was approximately sixteen years old. The abuse consisted of rape, oral rape, and genital fondling and occurred in Messer’s office at St. John’s rectory. The survivor reported that other priests knew of the abuse. In March 2008, investigators met with Messer, who strongly denied the allegations, and Archdiocese investigators concluded the allegation was not credible. In November 2008, the survivor’s attorney provided corroborating evidence, including a schoolmate’s account of the victim’s disclosure. The schoolmate described the victim’s fear of Messer and the emotional impact of the abuse. The Archdiocese expressed interest in speaking with the schoolmate independently. It is unclear if they were successful. Messer died on July 16, 2014.