R. Joseph Dooley

served:Archdiocese of Washington
ordained:1960
removed:1992
died:2002

Summary of Abuse Allegations against R. Joseph Dooley

Joseph Dooley was a Catholic priest ordained in 1960 who served in the Archdiocese of Washington (ADW). Over several decades, he ministered at multiple parishes and later held administrative roles within the Church. His career, however, is overshadowed by credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors, which came to light in the early 1990s.

Parishes and Roles Where R. Joseph Dooley Worked

Throughout his ministry, Dooley was assigned to several parishes within the Archdiocese of Washington, many of which were located in the state of Maryland. While the complete list of his assignments is not always public, records and survivor accounts indicate he served at the following locations:

Silver Spring, MD, St. John the Evangelist Parish

Lanham, MD, St. Matthias the Apostle Parish

Greenbelt, MD, St. Hugh of Grenoble Parish

Landover Hills, MD, St. Mary’s Parish

Bowie, MD, St. Pius X Parish

Other possible assignments within the Archdiocese of Washington

In addition to parish ministry, Dooley was appointed as the Coordinator for Sick and Retired Priests from 1992 to 1995.

Timeline of Church Sexual Abuse Allegations and Church Response

The first known report of sexual abuse by Dooley was made to the archdiocese in 1991, decades after his ordination. Following this report, he was removed from active parish ministry in 1992.

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Dooley was assigned an administrative role as Coordinator for Sick and Retired Priests until his retirement in 1995. He retired without faculties, meaning he was not permitted to perform priestly duties, and he passed away in 2002.

Maryland Priest Molestation Claims Against R. Joseph Dooley

Dooley was accused of sexually abusing children during his time as a priest. According to reports and survivor testimonies, the abuse spanned multiple years and involved minors from the parishes where he served.

The Archdiocese of Washington has acknowledged these credible allegations and included his name on official lists of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse of minors was reported by survivors who were children at the time of the abuse.

The abuse occurred during his assignments at various parishes in Maryland. The abuse was first officially reported to Church authorities in 1991.

Media Coverage and Additional Resources

The case of R. Joseph Dooley has been covered by multiple news outlets and survivor advocacy groups. Here are some articles and resources providing further details:

The Washington Post:
“List of Priests Accused of Abuse in the Archdiocese of Washington”
(Includes Dooley’s name and assignment history)

Bishop Accountability:
“R. Joseph Dooley – Assignment Record”
(Detailed list of parish assignments and summary of allegations)

Official Archdiocese of Washington List:
“List of Clergy Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse of Minors”
(Dooley is included in the official list)

Support for Survivors of Maryland Clergy Child Abuse

If you or someone you know is a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, support is available. The Yost Legal Group is committed to advocating for survivors and seeking justice. We offer free, confidential consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. You may be entitled to receive financial compensation to help you move forward in life.

Maryland Child Sexual Abuse Claims – Maryland Priest Molestation Lawsuit – Maryland Clergy Abuse Claims