Ex-priest Not Covered by Church Insurance in Lawsuit, SNAP Responds

SNAP
June 3, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/nj_ex_priest_not_covered_by_church_insurance_in_lawsuit_snap_responds

A former New Jersey priest has been denied insurance coverage from the Catholic church in a lawsuit against him. The ex-priest is being sued for having an affair with a parishioner and counseling the woman’s husband.

[njlawjournal.com]

This is another sad example of church officials focusing on legal technicalities instead of wounded and betrayed victims. Henry Drew was a monk at St. Mary's Abbey in Morristown, and the weekend assistant priest at Our Lady of the Mount Roman Catholic Church in Warren when he began to sexually exploit a married parishioner. The woman’s husband sought counseling from Drew, who told him to get a divorce. This is a gross misuse of power.

Drew violated his sacred duty twice. First, he sexually exploited a member of his church. Then he violating the trust of the man he was counseling and using his position to influence a divorce.

We also want to point out that relationships can never be equal between and priest and a parishioner. In 17 states, it's illegal for a clergyman to have any sexual contact with a congregant.