Father Fennessy Barred From Priestly Ministry

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Father Keith Fennessy, who was discovered with pornographic material on his computer that violated the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, may not return to priestly ministry.

Law enforcement officials and the archdiocesan review board both examined the details of the allegation. As a result of its investigation, the review board recommended earlier this month that Father Fennessy no longer be permitted to serve as a priest. Cardinal Dolan accepted the board’s recommendation.

Father Fennessy had most recently served as pastor of St. Columba’s parish in Manhattan from 2011 until June 15, 2015, when he was removed from ministry after the pornographic material was discovered.

The matter was also immediately turned over to the Manhattan and Staten Island District Attorney’s offices, said archdiocesan spokesman Joseph Zwilling.

Father Fennessy, who was ordained to the priesthood for the archdiocese in 1984, is now living under supervision. The archdiocese is awaiting a decision as to whether he should be returned to the lay state.