The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis was named in a lawsuit that claims the late Father Ramon

Buckley and the late Father John McGrath sexually abused the same minor in the late-1970s while both priests
were assigned at Sacred Heart parish in Robbinsdale.

As has been reported in the media since 1993, McGrath had been accused of and subsequently sued for
abusing two minors in the 1960s. McGrath was included in the list of names of men who have substantiated
claims against them of sexually abusing a minor while they were assigned as priests in our archdiocese. This list
is posted on our website. McGrath was removed from ministry in 1995 and died that same year.

Regarding Father Ramon Buckley, we have no knowledge of him abusing anyone at any time. To our
knowledge, this is the first accusation of abuse made against him. He died in 1999.

I am deeply sorry for and saddened by the physical and emotional pain caused by clergy sex abuse. We hold
ourselves accountable for the devastating damage that has been done to victims and survivors, their families
and their communities. We are continuing the work of strengthening our systems and procedures to protect
children and youth and holding abusers accountable. I and all other leadership at the archdiocese urge anyone
who has suffered abuse to contact law enforcement or child protection.

Assignment histories of Fathers Buckley and McGrath are listed below:

John McGrath
Date of birth: 4/13/1931, deceased
Date of ordination: 1957
Clerics prior assignments:
Associate priest, Nativity of our Lord, St. Paul, 1957-1965;
Associate priest, St. Helena, Minneapolis, 1965-1969;
Associate priest, St. Andrew, St. Paul, 1969-1970;
Administrative staff, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, 1970-1976;
Pastor, Sacred Heart, Robbinsdale, 1976-1995
Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Current status: Died in 1995



STATEMENT REGARDING FRS. RAMON BUCKLEY AND JOHN MCGRATH
From Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

CONTACT
Anne Steffens
Interim Director of Communications
T: 651-291-4525
steffensa@archspm.org
October 2, 2014,
2014
Ramon Buckley
Date of birth: 10/22/1930, deceased
Date of ordination: 1977
Clerics prior assignments:
Associate priest, St. Wenceslaus, New Prague, 1977-1978;
Temporary Administrator, St. Thomas, St. Thomas, 1978-1979;
Associate priest, Sacred Heart, Robbinsdale, 1979;
Associate priest, St. Mark, St. Paul, 1979-1982;
Pastor, St. Paul, Zumbrota, 1982 - 1988
Administrator, St. Mary , Bellechester, 1982-1988
Medical leave (surgery) 1989
Associate, Holy Cross, Minneapolis, 1989-1990
Administrator, St. Luke, Clearwater, 1990-1993
Pastor, St. Luke, Clearwater, 1993 1999 (died)
Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Current status: Died in 1999

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