The Roman Catholic dioceses in New Jersey have released more than 180 names of New Jersey priests and other clergy who allegedly sexually abused children.

Who are the accused?

The internal investigation named 63 men from the Newark Archdiocese, according to the Democrat & Chronicle. Of the priests included on the list, 33 have died, while the same number had more than one victim. Eight of the currently-living priests have been accused of abusing multiple victims, and all of these men have been defrocked.

The Camden Diocese published 56 names, Trenton 31 names, Paterson 29 names, and Metuchen 14 names, according to a comprehensive list from ProPublica cited by Patch.com.

The most well-known was former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who led the Metuchen diocese in addition to the archdioceses of Newark and Washington, D.C. McCarrick resigned in 2018 after facing accusations by three adults who said he sexually abused them decades ago. Two of the accusers have settled out of court.

McCarrick is the highest-ranking American Catholic official to have been removed from ministry in the midst of the Catholic sexual abuse scandal.

How far back did the investigation go?

The leader of the Newark Archdiocese said the investigation looked at records going back to 1940. None of the accused currently practice in the church, and law enforcement was made aware of all accusations, according to Cardinal Joseph Tobin.

NorthJersey.com reported that 79 of the 188 accused priests on the list are still alive, but none are actively working in any diocese.

How does the church define ‘child sexual abuse?’

The church defines the term sexual abuse differently than the civil or criminal law definitions. According to the website of the Archdiocese of Newark, “sexual abuse of a child, minor or youth means any sexual act to or with a child, or other sexual exploitation of a child, or other behavior by which an adult uses a minor as an object of sexual gratification.”

The church definition also includes the use, creation, or possession of child pornographic images.

What makes an accusation credible?

A credible allegation of child sexual abuse occurs when the accused predator admits to committing the alleged abuse; when the accused predator is found guilty in court; or when an independent group assigned to review the allegations investigates and finds the allegations are most likely true.

The Archdiocesan Review Board takes all relevant information available to them and determines whether or not a member of the clergy is facing a credible allegation of sexual abuse.

While New Jersey priests, along with their colleagues in New York and Pennsylvania, have been getting most of the recent media attention, the sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic clergy is a worldwide problem, even reaching into Pope Francis’s own inner circle. The Pontiff recently dismissed two of his advisers — a cardinal from Australia and another from Chile — over child sex abuse allegations. Pope Francis has drawn criticism for not speaking out or taking aggressive action against pedophile clergy, though things seem to be changing.

In May 2019, the Pontiff issued a papal edict, requiring dioceses to establish offices and procedures to aid reporters of abuse, speed up investigations, protect victims’ privacy, and shield reporters from retaliation. The edict also requires that local Church officials not interfere with investigations by secular law enforcement, and to assist whenever possible.

In the introduction to his edict, Pope Francis writes, “It is good that procedures be universally adopted to prevent and combat these crimes that betray the trust of the faithful.”

What is being done legally?

The New Jersey Attorney General has a Clergy Abuse Task Force that is reviewing the information sent over by the Archdiocese of Newark. The investigation is ongoing.

More and more people may be eligible to file childhood sex abuse litigation in New Jersey after the state’s statute of limitations was extended, allowing survivors more time to sue.

Before this change, sexual assault survivors only had two years in which they could pursue litigation. For childhood sexual abuse survivors, the limit was until they turned 20 years old — that is, two years after becoming a legal adult.

But coming forward with abuse allegations can be — law that extended the statute of limitations for child sex abuse survivors to sue their abusers until they turn 55, or within seven years of their realization that the abuse they suffered caused them harm.

Even victims previously excluded by the statute of limitations were given two years to file litigation seeking damages in what is known as a look back window. New Jersey is one of several states that have recently made changes to their childhood sexual abuse laws.

Since these changes were implemented, New Jersey has seen a spike of Catholic sexual abuse litigation, amounting to more than 230 lawsuits.

What can I do if I am a survivor of sexual abuse?

Dioceses in New Jersey established the New Jersey Compensation Fund for Victims of Church Sexual Abuse of Minors, to compensate survivors without having to resort to litigation. The deadline to file a claim was Feb. 29, 2020. More than $11 million was paid out in settlements to at least 69 New Jersey survivors whose cases were resolved, per NJ.com

Before agreeing to any type of settlement, sexual abuse survivors who were victims of New Jersey clergy may benefit from speaking with an experienced lawyer who can help determine whether accepting a settlement is the best choice and how to best obtain complete and swift compensation.

What can I do if I suspect abuse?

New Jersey is a mandatory reporting state. If you believe a child is being victimized, you have a legal obligation to report your suspicions to law enforcement. There are signs that a child or young teen may be suffering sexual abuse, which you can learn more about at websites such as ChildUSA or the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

Can I file a lawsuit?

If you or someone you love has been a victim of Catholic sex abuse, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation — even if the abuse happened years or even decades ago. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by childhood sexual abuse, but it can at least provide some kind of compensation, as well as help to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

A number of states have recently made changes to their sexual abuse laws, allowing survivors more time to come forward with their allegations.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially when it’s over something as serious as childhood sex abuse, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

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