Under a recent New Jersey law which went into effect on Dec. 1, 2019, multiple people have filed lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Newark, claiming they were subjected to sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy.

Archdiocese of Newark Sued Over Sexual Abuse Claims

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the law extending the statute of limitations for victims of sexual abuse in May 2019. When the law went into effect in December 2019, it extended the statute of limitations for victims who were sexually abused as children to be able to file a lawsuit against their abusers until the age of 55, or within seven years of realizing that the abuse had been harmful to them.

Additionally, the law also opened a two-year window during which victims whose cases had expired under the previous statute of limitations will be able to pursue charges against their abusers.

Several religious leaders associated with the Archdiocese of Newark have been subject to accusations since the law was changed. Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick was defrocked earlier this year after accusations surfaced that he had sexually abused many boys and sexually harassed multiple seminarians.

According to several alleged victims of McCarrick, this abuse was initially reported in the 1990s, and the Archdiocese of Newark reached settlements with several victims in the mid-2000s.

Another accused priest, Augustine Giella, is deceased, but was named in a lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of Newark by several sisters who claim that the former priest abused them as children.

One man who filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese said in a press conference reported by Patch.com, “The reality is simple. The Catholic Church can do better, should do better, and must do better to protect the children in its care. If it wants to have a future filled with young people, it’s time for eloquence of action and an end to eloquence of words.”

Avenues to Justice for Victims

Victims who were sexually abused by Catholic clergy members associated with the Archdiocese of Newark may have several avenues open to them to pursue justice. In June 2019, the New Jersey Independent Victim Compensation Program opened and began to accept claims by victims of priests associated with the five New Jersey dioceses.

Although victims’ funds have been presented by the Catholic Church as a faster and easier way for victims to receive financial settlements than through a lawsuit, these payouts come at a price. In order for victims to receive a settlement from a Catholic victims’ fund, victims generally must sign away their rights to sue the Church or individual clergy members.

Victims of Catholic clergy members who opt to hire a qualified attorney and file a class action lawsuit regarding their sexual abuse may be eligible to receive higher compensation sums than they would receive through a victims fund. Lawsuits may also be a way for victims to hold their abusers accountable, and prevent further abuse by the same clergy members.

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