6 Claim They Were Sexually Abused by Priest Who Worked in Upper Montclair, Guttenberg

Fios 1
July 22, 2016

http://www.fios1news.com/newjersey/criminal-probe-nj-priest#.V5IcgfmLS02

[with video]

Five men and one woman have stepped forward claiming they were sexually abused as kids by Father Michael "Mitch" Walters at churches in Upper Montclair and Guttenburg – where he was a priest in the 80s and 90s.

The allegations come after a year-and-a-half investigation by the organization Road to Recovery, which aids sexual abuse victims. Co-founder Robert Hoatson says he believes there are many more victims who have yet to step forward.

“We're talking about fondling and we're talking about some pretty horrific things,” Hoatson said. “Evidently, the rectory here was kind of a club house that Father Mitch ran so he would invite kids over and then things would happen.”

“During the period of sexual abuse, Father Michael Walters was assigned to Saint Cassian's Church in Upper Montclair, New Jersey and Saint John Neposmem Church in Guttenberg, New Jersey. The sexual abuse took place within Saint Cassian Church, family homes in New Jersey and on trips to the Poconos,” said Mitchell Garabedian, attorney for all 6 alleged victims.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office is investigating and Garabedian awaits its decision as to whether the county is going to proceed criminally or not.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Newark says they've offered the alleged victims counseling support and,

"The attorney for the individual has not permitted any interview. Fr. Walters has been out of ministry since the fall of 2015, and the Archdiocese will cooperate with the prosecutor's office to the extent we can.”

No one from the Archdiocese of Newark nor the Hudson County Prosecutor's office could be reached for comment.