WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A PRIEST OR CHURCH MEMBER IN NEW JERSEY?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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NEW JERSEY CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Representing Clergy Abuse Lawsuits in New Jersey
In recent years, various record releases and court filings have produced evidence of a rampant sexual abuse problem within all five of New Jersey’s Catholic dioceses. In addition to numerous cases of clergy abuse against children, the evidence also shows that church leadership engaged in a decades-long coverup that enabled abusive Catholic priests to abuse children without consequence.
Now, survivors are stepping forward in increasing numbers to seek justice and hold the Church accountable. Our New Jersey Catholic church sex abuse lawyers at Levy Konigsberg are here to help.
Were you sexually abused?
Legacy of Clergy Abuse in New Jersey Catholic Dioceses
The dark legacy of clergy abuse within New Jersey Catholic churches has been made apparent through various high-profile legal filings and internal record releases.
These cases and publications confirm that child sexual abuse has been rampant within all five of the state’s Catholic dioceses for decades and that church officials routinely failed to protect victims by prioritizing its own reputation. They also show that New Jersey Catholic dioceses are still making efforts to conceal and cover up hundreds of cases of abuse statewide.
For example:
- In March 2024, the Archdiocese of Newark and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill—a Catholic nonprofit order—were accused of failing to protect two students from sexual abuse by a teacher at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, New Jersey, during the 1980s. The school has since closed, but lawsuits now allege that former teacher Lief Schiroki sexually assaulted two students while employed there from 1984 to 1987.
- In January 2023, it was revealed that despite hundreds of lawsuits filed by survivors and promises to promote transparency as new allegations arose, New Jersey’s Catholic Dioceses had failed to make any meaningful updates to its list of credibly accused priests since it was published in 2019. This included no new names within the Newark Archdiocese, and just seven additional priests added to lists from the state’s other four dioceses. The Church’s failure to update its lists happened despite the dioceses reaching hundreds of settlements with survivors, and calls into question the Church’s purported commitment to transparency.
- In April 2022, the Diocese of Camden agreed to pay $87.5 million to settle claims of clergy sex abuse brought by roughly 300 survivors. The settlement, one of the largest involving the Catholic church in the U.S., was reached as part of the Camden Diocese’s bankruptcy case and includes allegations of abuse from the 1950s through the 1990s, with most claims involving abuse in the 60s and 70s.
- In October 2021, eleven new lawsuits were filed against the Catholic Church in New Jersey, including three naming former teachers at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell and another involving John Dagwell, a now-deceased former soccer coach and member of the Xavierian order at St. Joseph Regional High in Montvale. Dagwell, named in similar suits in prior years, had been criminally convicted in the 1980s for abuse of another student at St. Joseph.
- In 2019, New Jersey’s five Catholic dioceses published a list of 188 priests and deacons who had been credibly accused of child sex abuse. The list, which was the product of an internal review spurred by an investigation launched by the New Jersey Attorney General in 2018, included clergy accused of child sex abuse dating back to the 1940s.
- In July 2018, the Catholic order that runs Delbarton School in Morris Township settled five lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by monks, including a former headmaster. One priest, Timothy Brennan, admitted to having sexual encounters with about 50 boys, including students from Delbarton and St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Linden, managed by the Order of St. Benedict of New Jersey. Lawsuits were filed by 10 men and one woman for sexual abuse dating from 1968 to 1984. The Archdiocese of Newark was also named as a defendant in related cases.
The list of 188 credibly accused priests and clergy, which has been widely scrutinized for not being updated since its release and for likely undercounting the true number of accused abusers, included clergy from all five of New Jersey’s Catholic dioceses.
The breakdown of accused clerics in each diocese was as follows:
- Archdiocese of Newark – 63
- Diocese of Camden – 57
- Diocese of Trenton – 30
- Diocese of Paterson – 28
- Diocese of Metuchen – 11
List of Catholic Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse in NJ
Archdiocese of Newark
- Absalom Coutinho
- Alan Guglielmo
- Arturo Crespo
- Augustine Giella
- Charles Hartling
- Charles Hudson
- Daniel (Horatio D.) Medina
- David Ernst
- Deacon John R. McAulay
- Deacon Thomas Mousley
- Dennis Cocozza
- Edward Eilert
- Edward Stanely
- Eugene Heyndricks
- Francis Maione
- Gerald (Carmen) Howard (Sita)
- Gerald Ruane
- Gerald Sudol
- Hadmels DeFrias
- James A. Carey
- James Benedetto
- Jesus Rengifo
- John Bergeur
- John Bouton
- John Capparelli
- John Flanagan
- John J. Donohue
- John Komar
- John Laferrera
- John Morel
- John Nickas
- Jorge Batista
- Joseph DiPeri
- Joseph P. Fagan
- Joseph Rice
- Kenneth Martin
- Kevin Gugliotta
- Kevin Kortina
- Lawrence Gadek
- Manuel Gallo-Espinoza
- Mario Salazar
- Michael Campanlonga
- Michael Fugee
- Michael O’Brien
- Michael Walters
- Peter Cheplic
- Richard Galdon
- Richard Mieliwocki
- Robert Alcamo
- Robert Chabak
- Robert Gibney
- Robert Marotta
- Robert Morel
- Robert Stauffer
- Robert Svec
- Robert Zasacki
- Theodore McCarrick
- Thomas F. Duffy
- Thomas H. Reilly
- Thomas Stanford
- Vincent Bonelli
- William Giblin
- William McCann
Diocese of Camden
- Alfred J. Vasapolli
- Antoine St. Germain
- Augustine J. Seidenburg
- Brendan V. Sullivan
- Charles E. Kuhl
- Charles J. Davis
- Charles P. McColgan
- Claude J. Bender
- Dennis J. Rigney
- Dermott F. Lyons
- Donal Sheehan
- Edward A. Igle
- Edward Gillespie
- Edward Lucano
- Eldridge T. Evans
- Francis A. McCloskey
- Francis J. Flemming
- Francis J. McLaughlin
- Francis L. Salamandra
- Frank X. Hudson
- Gerald P. Clements
- Glendon E. Robertson
- Henry S. Blaszczynski
- James F. Hopkins
- James Ryan
- John D. Bohrer
- John E. Follett
- John E. Smith
- John F. Bloh
- John J. McElroy
- John P. Bernard
- John P. Connor
- John P. Kelly
- Joseph Barber
- Joseph E. Shannon
- Joseph J. Brennan
- Joseph McGarvey
- Joseph Orsini
- Kenneth Demarest
- Michael H. D’Amico
- Norman T. Connelly
- Patrick J. Madden
- Patrick J. Weaver
- Peter J. Osinski
- Philip T. Rigney
- Phillip A. Matthews
- Richard Gerbino
- Robert J. Schmid
- Roy T. Hardin
- Thomas M. Harkins
- Timothy E. Pisik
- Vincent A. Doyle
- Walter Smith
- Walter T. Reilly
- William B. Cannon
- William D. Titmas
- William Johnson
Diocese of Trenton
- Benjamin R. Dino
- Charles J. Comito
- Douglas U. Hermansen
- Florencio Tumang
- Francis D. Bruno
- Francis J. C. Janos
- Frank J. Iazetta
- Gerard J. Brown
- H. Brendan Williams
- J. Gerald Griffin
- John E. Sullivan
- Joseph F. McHugh
- Joseph J. Prioli
- Joseph R. Punderson
- Leo A. Kelty
- Liam A. Minogue
- M. Francis McGrath
- Manuel R. M. Fernandez
- Patrick F. Magee
- Richard C. Brietske
- Riochard R. Milewski
- Robert J. Parenti
- Romanilo S. Apura
- Ronald Becker
- Sebastian L. Muccilli
- Terrance O. McAlinden
- Thomas A. Rittenhouse
- Thomas J. Frain
- Vincent J. Inghilterra
- William J. McKeone
Diocese of Paterson
- Absalom Coutinho
- Allen Stepien
- Carlos Guzman
- Charles Bradley
- Francis Dennehy
- George Costigan
- Gregory White
- James A.D. Smith
- James Hanley
- James Scott
- John Derricks
- John Heekin
- John Pisarcik
- John Sutton
- John Wall
- Jose Alonso
- Jose Lopez
- Joseph Molloy
- Marcin Nurek
- Patrick Erwin
- Peter McBride
- Ralph Sodano
- Ronald Tully
- Stanislaus Durka
- Walter Pruschowitz
- William Cramer
- William Mockus
- William Winston
Diocese of Metuchen
- Anthony Kramarz
- Dann Rossi
- Gregory Littleton
- John Banko
- John Casey
- John Giordano
- Mark Dolak
- Michael Cashman
- Michael Santillo
- Patrick Kuffner
- Thomas Ganley
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Do I Have A Case?
You may have a sexual abuse claim against the Catholic Church if:
- You were sexually abused as a minor or an adult within the Church.
- The abuser was a priest, clergy member, or some other Church volunteer or employee.
- Your abuse occurred at any time in the past.
As with civil sexual abuse cases, claims filed with the bankruptcy settlement fund are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse. Instead, they focus on holding the Archdiocese liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:
- Your abuser is no longer alive.
- Your abuser was never charged or convicted of a crime.
Determining whether you have grounds to pursue a claim can be challenging, which is why our team at Levy Konigsberg is readily available to help.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
New Jersey Sexual Abuse Attorneys
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations previously imposed a strict deadline for victims of sexual abuse to file claims or seek compensation. However, recognizing the lasting impact of sexual abuse and the obstacles survivors face in pursuing justice, the state enacted the Child Victims Act in 2019. This landmark legislation significantly extended the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse cases. The law provides more opportunities for victims to seek justice and compensation, acknowledging the complexities and challenges associated with reporting and prosecuting sexual abuse.
Under New Jersey law, specifically NJ Stat. § 2A:14-2a, survivors of sexual abuse now have an extended timeframe to pursue legal action. Childhood sexual abuse victims can file civil claims until age 55 or seven years after recognizing the trauma, whichever is later. This allows survivors to seek justice against their abusers and any liable institutions. For those sexually abused as adults (age 18 or older), the deadline to file a civil lawsuit is seven years from the incident of abuse.
Seeking legal guidance is crucial when navigating the complexities of the statute of limitations. Your attorney can review your case, explain the statute of limitations to you, and assist you in determining if you are eligible to file a lawsuit.
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy members. Our team is dedicated to providing legal support to survivors and holding accountable those who have committed these crimes. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that the trust placed in religious institutions is restored.
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.