Logotipo de HL

ALL CALLS ARE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

Diocese of Metuchen ACCUSED PRIESTS

In recent years, numerous victims have come forward with sexual abuse claims of minors by priests in the Diocese of Metuchen. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen includes ministries in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren counties. After New Jersey’s attorney general announced it was investigating sexual abuse by Catholic priests, all five of New Jersey’s dioceses released the names of priests that the Church determined had been “credibly accused” of sexual abuse. At least ten of the 188 priests on the list worked in the Diocese of Metuchen.

Like the other four dioceses in New Jersey, the Diocese of Metuchen faces many lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by priests. One case that received widespread notoriety involved Theodore McCarrick, who served as a cardinal and first bishop of the Diocese. McCarrick served as bishop of Metuchen in 1981 and accepted an appointment as a cardinal in 2001. However, after numerous victims came forward with accusations of decades of sexual abuse by McCarrick, the Church removed him from public ministry in 2018.  

The Diocese’s website includes reports about the abuse by McCarrick. The reports contain multiple letters documenting the horrific sexual acts McCarrick perpetrated against teenage boys and young priests in the Church. One letter in the report states two priests noted that although the incidents of sexual abuse by McCarrick were “well known” throughout the Diocese, the Catholic Church “took no restrictive or punitive action” against McCarrick. Another priest said that when he reported the abuse to the Diocese’s priest, who served as a psychological counselor, the priest told him he should not tell anyone about the abuse if he wanted to be ordained.

In September 2020, referencing priest sexual abuse in the Diocese of Metuchen, victims filed two separate lawsuits against the Catholic Church. They were able to file these lawsuits under the recently passed New Jersey Child Sexual Abuse Act and the New Jersey Victims’ Rights Bill. Recent changes to New Jersey legislation extend the statute of limitations or time restrictions to initiate a civil lawsuit for childhood sexual abuse from a victim’s 28th birthday to age 55 or seven years after discovering physical or mental injury stemming from the abuse. Additionally, a revival window added to the law enables child sexual abuse survivors of all ages to file a civil lawsuit within two years from December 2019. 

The lawsuits filed under this new legislation alleged abuse by Brother Regis Moccia and the Reverend Patrick H. Barrett. The first lawsuit alleges that Moccia sexually abused the victim from around 1994 to 1995, while the victim, aged 13 to 14 at the time, was a student at the St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. St. Joseph High School is a Catholic school within the Diocese of Metuchen. 

In the second lawsuit, a former parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Woodbridge accused Barrett of sexually abusing him from around 1983 to 1984. The victim was nine or ten years old. Both priests are now dead. 

In the lawsuit related to abuse by Moccia, the plaintiff alleges that the Diocese of Metuchen either knew or should have known that Moccia “was a danger to children” and that the institution was, thereby, liable for the abuse. The lawsuit also alleged that the Diocese and the other named defendants should have known that child sexual abusers have a high recidivism rate, and therefore, the Church should’ve removed the priests from contacting children.

The religious institution’s website claims that only 3% of clergy in the Diocese have faced credible accusations of sexual abuse. The Diocese lists the following individuals as “credibly accused” clergy members: John Banko, John Casey, Michael Cashman, Mark Dolak, Thomas Ganley, John Giordano, Anthony Kramarz, Gregory Littleton, Michael Santillo, and Dann Rossi. 

Additionally, Patrick Kuffner is currently under investigation by civil authorities. The Diocese posted a statement on its website advising parishioners to notify law enforcement first if they suspect abuse. In addition, the Diocese gives the following numbers to call to report child sexual abuse: 1-877-652-2873 (New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency) or contact the Diocese’s Director of Child and Youth Protection at (908)-930-4558.

If you or someone you love experienced sex abuse as a child or teen at the Diocese of Metuchen, contact the compassionate and determined lawyers at Herman Law today for a free consultation. You deserve justice for the harm you endured. 

Ordained: 1972
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Removed from ministry in 2000. Convicted in 2002 on charges of molesting an 11-year-old boy in 1993. Sentenced to 15 years. At least 9 other alleged victims, abused as young as age 6. Additional criminal charges filed 9/06 alleging abuse of a boy 1994-95. Pled not guilty in 11/06. Convicted in 2008. Diagnosed as “repetitive and compulsive sexual offender.” Sentenced in 9/08 to additional 18 years. Died 2/29/16 at the New Jersey Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Woodbridge NJ.On the diocese’s list 2/13/19.
Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 9/20 of sexually abusing a child, ages 9-10, in 1983-84, at St. Anthony of Padua in Woodbridge. Barrett died in 2005.
Ordained: 1984
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Placed on leave 7/05. Accused of abuse of a minor in approximately 1987. No criminal prosecution because statute of limitations expired. Per 5/07 article, canonical trial of Casey was in its “early procedural stages.” Died 8/1/08. Obituary referred to him as pastor of St. Joseph’s Church. Bishop Bootkoski performed burial mass. On diocese’s list 2/13/19.
Ordained: 1975
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Native of Ireland. Placed on leave 2002 after accusation that he abused a former parishioner, her son and daughter in 1978 at parish in Old Bridge. Other accusations also made. Included in 1/03 settlement claiming abuse by 5 priests. He denied all allegations. In 3/09 church trial found him guilty of 1 count of abuse 1980-83; permanently removed from public ministry. On 7/27/14, diocese announced that that Appeals Court had found him guilty of “ongoing sexual abuse” of two minor children in the early 1980s. Dismissed from the priesthood, per 7/21/14 letter from Bishop. On diocese’s list 2/13/19.
Ordained: 1972
Status: Cleared

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Pastor of St. Joseph’s in Hillsborough, NJ. Removal from active ministry announced 10/25/13 after allegation of abuse of a minor in late the 1970s, when he was associate pastor at St. Mary’s in South Amboy. County prosecutor informed the diocese; no criminal charges due to statute of limitations. Review Board and retired investigator found allegation “not frivolous.” Cole denied the allegation. Matter referred to Vatican. In 11/15 Cole was found not guilty by a church tribunal, composed of three priests from outside the diocese. Cole was planning to go to Guatemala to study Spanish, then return to the diocese to do Hispanic ministry.
Ordained: 1979
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Settlement in 1991 with a woman who claimed sex abuse by Dolak 1979-87, beginning when she was age 13 and an Our Lady of Peace school student and parishioner in Fords, NJ, where Dolak was assigned. Accused of abusing a boy at an unspecified date. Claims against him were included in a 1/03 settlement between the diocese and victims of 5 priests. The diocese reportedly said three people had come forward with claims against Dolak. Went on to work as an acute care family support specialist at Monmouth Medical Center. No longer there in 2/19. On diocese’s list 2/13/19. Laicization announced in 4/19.
Ordained: 1987
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

In 11/13, Bishop told parishioners at St. James the Less that Duggan had been accused of sexually abusing a developmentally-challenged adult in the early 1990s at St. James Parish in Woodbridge. Initially removed in 4/13 when Diocese first learned of the allegation. Later sent to Guest House in MN for treatment of alcoholism. Adamantly denied allegations. Review Board found accuser to be credible. Privileges removed. Died 7/6/17. Lawsuit filed on behalf of the victim in 6/19. The diocese offered a settlement in 7/20.
Ordained: 1996
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Prior to 1996 ordination, Farrell was a Brother of Charity for 12 years. Placed on leave in 5/03 and sent to a “supervised living facility” after he was accused of an “isolated incident” of “inappropriate communication” over the Internet with a minor in 1997. Police and Division of Youth and Family Services investigated. No criminal charges filed. Returned to ministry in 10/04. Still active as of 3/13 at St. Joseph in North Plainfield, NJ.
Ordained: 1985
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Charged in 1/19 with sexual assault of a girl, ages 14-17, in 1990-94 while assigned to St. Cecilia’s in Woodbridge. The girl was involved in the parish CCD program. In a secret recording and to investigators, Ganley admitted to the “sexual conduct.” The abuse occurred in NJ, FL and Washington DC. Pled guilty to rape and sexual assault of a minor under age 16 in exchange for a sentence of four years in state prison. Required to register as a sex offender. On the diocese’s list 2/13/19. Accused in a 12/19 lawsuit of abusing a teenage boy, along with Rev. Robert Witkowski, at a parish in Iselin in the early 1990s. The plaintiff claimed the priests also abused other boys.
Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Giordano retired from St. Luke’s Church in North Plainfield early in 5/07. He attributed his retirement to the pressures of running a parish and allegations of sexual misconduct. The diocese apparently investigated at the time and no action was taken. He denied all allegations and stated that the “allegations were handled properly according to both civil and canon law.” On the diocese’s list 2/13/19. It notes that he was removed.

Order: OSM
Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused
Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Accused in 1994 of abuse in 1970s of a 15-year-old boy in New Jersey. Admitted the abuse. A second victim came forward. Forced to step down as head of the Chicago-based Servites. Went to Africa for a few years. Hired 1997 by St. Paul University in Ottawa, ON, Canada. By 2002 he was still a priest and professor and vice dean of canon law at St. Paul’s. St. Paul’s said he took “medical leave for the treatment of severe depression” in 8/02 after allegation surfaced. Ottawa archbishop said Huels was leaving Servites and would seek laicization. In 9/18 he was still professor of canon law at Saint Paul’s. He was removed from that position after publicity the same month.
Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Deceased.
Ordained: 2002
Status: Charged

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Suspended from ministry in 2/18. Accused by three people of sexually abusing them as minors when Kuffner was a teacher at Sacred Heart School on Staten Island around 1983, prior to ordination. Taught for 30 years in Staten Island Catholic school system. Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Virgin in Middlesex Borough when suspended. Law enforcement investigating in 2/18. On diocese’s list 2/13/19. Charged in 11/19 with sexual assault of a minor between ages 13-16. The abuse allegedly took place in Springfield, MA. Pled not guilty 12/12/19.
Ordained: 1990
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Per Metuchen bishop, Littleton gave info to diocese in 1993 that implicated him in sexual abuse of 2 minors. Removed and sent for evaluation and 3 years’ therapy. Allowed to return on limited basis; returned in 1997 to full time ministry. Transferred in 1997 to Charlotte diocese, which was told of his past. In 10/02 allegations were reported to Metuchen and passed to Charlotte. Not removed by Charlotte until 2/04 when allegations deemed credible. Per news in 8/18, Littleton claimed he was a victim of sexual misconduct by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. Littleton was included on the Metuchen diocese’s list 2/13/19. On the Charlotte diocese’s list 12/29/19.

Ordained:
Status: Sued
Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 9/20 of sexually abusing a boy, ages 13-14, in about 1994-95. The alleged victim was a student at St. Joseph High School. Moccia died 6/28/00.
Ordained: 1982
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Deacon. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/19. Deceased.

Ordained:
Status: Sued
Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 12/19 of sexually abusing a boy, ages 11-14, at Our Lay of Mount Carmel in New Brunswick, 1979-82.
Ordained: 1975
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Left active priesthood in 1992 to care for his parents. Charged in 5/97 with molesting a 13-year-old boy in 1987. Working at time of arrest in non-priest role at church in the Albany, NY diocese. Convicted in 1999. Three additional known victims. Sentenced to ten years. Died of cancer in prison in 2000. Three claims included in 1/03 diocesan settlement involving abuse by five priests. Accused in a lawsuit in 12/20 of grooming then sexually abusing a boy during elementary and high school. Santillo allegedly began to ply the boy with alcohol then molest him when he was a teen in 1983, in the the rectory of St. Mary’s in Perth Amboy and during a trip to Disney World.

Ordained:
Status: Charged
Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

Taught at St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen. Charged 2/16 with possessing and viewing child pornography on his computer. Released on bail. Was to return to his home in RI.

Ordained:
Status: Convicted
Diocese: Diocese of Metuchen NJ

From Poland. Had been working at Christ King Church in Manville since 4/08. In 7/08 a teenage girl complained to flight attendants that he was groping her and attempting to unzip her pants during a flight from Poland to the US. Zielinski was criminally charged about one week later. Placed on leave by the diocese. Pleaded guilty 10/1/08. Sentenced to one year in federal prison in 1/09. Released in 1/10.

All Consultations are FREE and Confidential

Contact Us - Questions
First
Last
Were you or someone you know sexually abused?

We are sorry, we exclusively handle cases of sexual abuse.

Lo sentimos, manejamos exclusivamente casos de abuso sexual.

* REQUIRED INFORMATION