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  Longtime Priest Accused of Sexual Harassment

By Jeanette Rundquist
Star-Ledger
September 12, 2007

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/09/longtime_priest_accused_of_sex.html

The sexton of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Peapack-Gladstone has filed suit against the rector emeritus of the parish, alleging the clergyman sexually harassed him more than a decade ago.

The Rev. Canon John Morrow, who was rector of the Somerset County church for more than 30 years before retiring in 1996, and who has since led worship at other Episcopal churches and chapels in the state, is named in the suit along with St. Luke's and the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey.

Sexton Richard Young, 68, of Chester, who still works at St. Luke's, charged in the lawsuit filed in Superior Court in Morris County that from 1984 to 1996, he was subjected to unlawful touching on his chest and torso, inappropriate questioning about his sex life and abuse of control by Morrow. An alleged sexual assault took place at the clergyman's Shore house, while Young was undressing to take a shower, the suit said.

State court records showed no record of any criminal charges.

A member of the diocese's canonical roster, Morrow also made comments to Young saying the sexton "needed his job," intending to intimidate him into keeping quiet, according to the suit. A diabetic and legally blind, because of his disabilities Young was entitled to protection from alleged harassment and misconduct, the lawsuit said.

Young said in the lawsuit he reported the incident to church officials at the time, and said incidents were also reported to the diocese, but officials took no action.

Since retiring, Morrow has led worship at seasonal chapels at the Shore and provided Sunday coverage at other congregations in the diocese. He could not be reached for comment, and the church would not provide contact information.

 
 

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