Father Kevin O’Donnell

Father John Kevin O’Donnell (born 22 October 1916 and died 1997), was ordained as a priest in 1946 and went on to serve within the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. It is reported that Father O’Donnell sexually and physically abused children until the very end of his career when he retired as a priest in 1992.

Father O’Donnell was known as a businessman and a fund-raiser, and was revered by the Catholic community and parishes. 

Below are a list of parishes that Father O’Donnell served in. His involvement in the community and the schools that were within the parishes meant that victims were not confined to these parishes.  Sexual abuses occurred in churches, presbyteries, public places, and schools he served in: 

• South Melbourne (Saints Peter and Paul parish), briefly, in late 1942;

• Balaclava (St Colman's parish), 1943-4;

• Chelsea (St Joseph's, which was then part of Frankston parish), 1944-9;

• Seymour (Immaculate Conception parish), 1949-56;

• East Melbourne (St John the Evangelist church, Victoria Parade, which was attached to the Cathedral parish), 1956;

• Dandenong (St Mary's parish), 1956-69;

• Hastings (Immaculate Conception parish), 1969-76; and

• Oakleigh (Sacred Heart parish), 1976-92.

Reported schools, and churches where some of the victims had come into contact and/or are reported to have been sexually abused by him include:

• St John’s Regional College, Dandenong;

• St Mary’s School, Dandenong;

• Parish Church in Doveton;

• Sacred Heart Primary School, Oakleigh (Chaplain);

• St Bede’s College, Mentone; and  

• St Joseph’s Church, Chelsea.

Findings from the Royal Commission showed that in 1986 Archbishop Little was given notice of Father O’Donnell sexually abusing a child at the St John’s Parish, and that the Archbishop failed to take “immediate and effective action” upon Father O’Donnell with this information. 

Moody Law has in the past represented and is still representing clients who have made allegations of sexual and physical abuse against Father O’Donnell during his service for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Presentation Sisters. 

We invite former victims of Father O’Donnell to contact us to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

Call us or complete the confidential enquiry form below.