Santa Clara University in California announced that Father Kevin O’Brien, who performed the inaugural ceremony for Joe Biden as the 46th President on Jan. 20, will be placed on leave as president from the university.
Father O’Brien exhibited behaviors in “adult settings, consisting primarily of conversations,” board chair John M. Sobrato wrote in the statement on Thursday. “An independent investigation into these accounts is being conducted on behalf of the USA West Province and the conclusions of the Province’s process will be shared with the Santa Clara University Board of Trustees. Father O’Brien was placed on leave from his position as University President for the duration of the investigation by the USA West Province consistent with its protocols. He has agreed to cooperate fully with the investigation and honor the process that he affirms annually as part of his ongoing Jesuit training.”
The statement did not specify the allegations made against O’Brien, who has been friends with the Biden family for 15 years.
O’Brien presided over Mass for Biden in 2009 and 2013, when Biden was sworn in as vice president, the Mercury News reported.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama all attended pre-inaugural religious services.
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—By CNJ Staff