The Metuchen Diocese in New Jersey has been hit with two new New Jersey clergy abuse lawsuits against clerics within the diocese who had not previously been accused.

The lawsuits were filed under the New Jersey Child Sexual Abuse Act and New Jersey Victims’ Rights Bill. In 2019, New Jersey extended the statute of limitations for child sex abuse allegations, allowing survivors until they turn 55, or within seven years of their realization that the abuse caused them harm, to sue their abusers and the institutions behind them. The law also created a two-year lookback window in which those who had previously been barred by the statute of limitations would be able to seek damages.

These new lawsuits allege abuse by Brother Regis Moccia and the Rev. Patrick H. Barrett.

The lawsuit filed against Moccia alleges that the member of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart began sexually abusing a 13-year old student at St. Joseph High School in 1994, and continued until 1995.

The lawsuit alleges that the Metuchen diocese, St. Joseph High School, and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart either knew or should have known about the danger to children posed by Moccia, but instead negligently allowed him to work with children. This is not the first child sex abuse lawsuit filed against St. Joseph High School or the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

The other lawsuit alleged that Barrett sexually abused a 9-year-old child beginning in 1983, lasting to 1984, while the child was a parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua Church. The lawsuit alleges that the diocese failed to protect the child from a child sexual abuser, having failed to warn the family of the risk posed by Barrett, and further “violated a legal duty by failing to report known and/or suspected abuse of children.”

Both of the clerics named in the lawsuits died in the early 2000s, according to spokesperson and chancellor for the Metuchen diocese, Anthony P. Kearns III. The reason that these lawsuits were filed—and that these previously unnamed clerics are now named—is the revamped statute of limitations in New Jersey.

“Such laws have empowered victims empowered victims to come forward, start healing and get information into the public that well help protect children and our communities,” said Mark Crawford, the New Jersey director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

Diocese officials have not yet received the lawsuit and cannot comment on pending litigation, Kearns said, but “our prayers are with all survivors of abuse, today and always, that they may experience healing and hope.”

The Metuchen diocese has indicated its intention to get to the bottom of all accusations of abuse.

“Since that time and for nearly 20 years, the Diocese of Metuchen has taken decisive steps forward to ensure there is no room for abuse to fester or remain hidden in the darkness,” said Kearns said. “The Diocese of Metuchen remains in full compliance with the Dallas Charter – the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People signed by the U.S. bishops, and since 2002, has required background checks for all clergy, employees and volunteers; safe environment training for all who work or volunteer with children; and has strongly enforced a zero-tolerance policy.”

If you or someone you love has suffered from child sex abuse by a priest or church leader in New Jersey, you are not alone. You may be able to join this lawsuit investigation and pursue compensation. Of course, monetary compensation cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by this kind of abuse, but it can at least hold those responsible—including institutions and organizations that may have ignored, allowed, or covered up this abuse—accountable for their actions and inactions.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, 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.