A former New Jersey resident is planning to file a lawsuit over childhood sexual abuse by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. This adds to the growing number of claims piling up against Church leaders in Catholic parishes in New Jersey.

A slew of priests based in a number of Catholic parishes in New Jersey have been accused of sexual abuse. The five diocese of New Jersey have created a victim’s compensation fund known as the New Jersey Independent Victim Compensation Program, meant to compensate victims of clergy abuse with cash settlements and without going to court.

The fund has only been accepting applications since June. By Aug.t 5, more than 50 victims had already filed claims, and seven had received cash settlements, according to northjersey.com.

However, some victims have pushed forward, pursuing litigation rather than taking cash settlements through the compensation fund.

One Catholic sex abuse victim, James G., grew up in Bergen County, N.J., though he now lives in Virginia. James alleges that McCarrick was a close family friend—indeed, he knew him as “Uncle Ted,” he told the New York Times last year. According to the NYT report, James was even baptized by McCarrick shortly after he was ordained as a priest. James alleges that during his childhood, he was sexually abused by McCarrick. Some of the abuse allegedly took place in his own home.

McCarrick has been defrocked by the Vatican and expelled from the priesthood for sexual abuse of children. As a former cardinal, McCarrick is the highest-ranking church official to be kicked out of the Church for sex abuse. The investigation found evidence that McCarrick had sexually abused an altar boy nearly fifty years previously. McCarrick has been accused of the sexual abuse of both children and adults.

Along with these allegations against McCarrick, the names of 28 priests from Catholic parishes in New Jersey were recently released on behalf of 30 other victims of sexual abuse who are planning to seek settlements from the victim’s compensation fund.

Filing a Catholic Sex Abuse Lawsuit

A growing number of sex abuse victims are coming forward with claims against the Catholic church, alleging they were abused by church leaders. Some allege also that Church leaders attempted to cover up this abuse for decades.

If you are a victim of Catholic sex abuse in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, or California—even if that abuse happened years or even decades ago—you may be eligible to join this class action lawsuit investigation. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation or application to a settlement fund, and maximize your potential compensation. While filing a lawsuit can never take away the pain and suffering caused by abuse and trauma, it can at least help by providing monetary compensation, as well as hold those responsible for their actions and inactions.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.