Statement regarding Fr. Daniel Madigan

For the update regarding Fr. Madigan’s return to ministry, please click here.

Last week, the Diocesan Pastoral Center received an accusation of sexual misconduct against Fr. Daniel Madigan, the retired pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Clarksburg. The accusation involves recent conduct with a minor in Ireland.

Our diocese takes every accusation of abuse extremely seriously. We follow a strict process that seeks to protect victims, report to law enforcement, inform parishioners and investigate each matter thoroughly. This process does not presume guilt or innocence. We are following these steps in this matter, as we do in all cases.

In accordance with diocesan policy, Fr. Madigan’s priestly faculties were removed pending the outcome of a formal investigation. Consequently, Fr. Madigan may not currently function publicly as a priest.

We have notified law enforcement in California as well as in Ireland, and have notified child protective services in both jurisdictions.

We have notified parishioners at St. Joseph’s Parish in Clarksburg as well as the leadership of both the Sacramento Food Bank and Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home, ministries where Fr. Madigan has served. This step also is in keeping with our procedures in all cases of abuse allegations.

We ask anyone with information that could be relevant to this matter, or who believes they or someone they know may have experienced any type of abuse, to please call the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-5471, or you can file a report on line at www.cityofsacramento.org/police. You may also contact the diocese’s Pastoral Care Coordinator at 866-777-9133.