The Jesuit priest who officiated at the inaugural mass of then President-elect Joe Biden – and has been a family friend for almost 15 years – is under investigation for unspecified allegations and is now on leave from his position as President of the University of Santa Clara, California , according to for college.
Reverend Kevin O’Brien allegedly “exhibited behavior in adult settings, consisting mainly of conversations, which may be inconsistent with established Jesuit protocols and boundaries,” according to a statement by John Sobrato, chairman of the college’s board of trustees.
Sobrato’s statement did not specify the charges against O’Brien, but said that the trustees “support those who have come forward to share their accounts”.
He said that while O’Brien is on leave, the priest will be cooperating with the independent investigation, with conclusions to be shared with the Board of Trustees at the University of Santa Clara.
In January, O’Brien served in St. Matthew’s Cathedral, the Apostle, for Biden, who is the nation’s second Catholic president, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris, before the inauguration ceremony at the United States Capitol.
He also chaired services for Biden’s inaugurations as vice president.
The priest – who has been dean of Santa Clara University since July 2019 – has known the Biden family for about 15 years, according to the university. When he met the family, he was serving at Georgetown University, another Jesuit college.
O’Brien did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Tracey Primrose, spokesman for the Western Jesuit Province, which is overseeing the investigation, told The Mercury News that “Jesuits are subject to a professional code of conduct, and the Province is investigating allegations that may violate or compromise established limits. ”.
The representative did not give details about the investigation.
“As with any organization, the Jesuits in the Western Province have confidentiality practices, which is why I cannot provide any further information on this matter,” said Primrose.
Former students at the University of Santa Clara and board members expressed shock on Thursday.
“I’m not sure what’s going on – I’m really surprised,” said Norman Kline, a member of the university’s Fellows Council, a fundraising group and former mayor of Saratoga, reported Mercury News.
O’Brien, he told the newspaper, was well liked and impressed the community when he embarked on a “listening tour” after his inauguration.
“He’s fantastic,” added Kline. “I think everyone liked him.”
Canadian O’Brien became an American citizen in 1988 at the age of 22 and received a graduate degree in government that year from Georgetown University, followed by a law degree from the University of Florida.
But after exploring a legal career, he took a job as a teacher at Cardinal Newman Catholic College in West Palm Beach, Florida.
He joined the Jesuit order in 1996 and was ordained in 2006.
Located in Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University has an annual undergraduate enrollment of approximately 5,500 students.
Classified as one of the top 25 graduate schools across the country, the private university has a million-dollar donation and has California governors. Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown among his alumni.
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