SUMMIT (NJ)
Patch
January 22, 2020
By Caren Lissner
‘The Archdiocese of Newark takes very seriously any and all credible complaints of sexual misconduct,’ said a spokeswoman.
A priest who once worked in law enforcement in New York City is now on leave from a Catholic school in Summit pending an investigation into “complaints issued in the past several days,” according to a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Newark.
Spokeswoman Maria Margiotta would not elaborate on the nature of the complaints against Rev. Salvator “Sal” DiStefano, who was serving as a chaplain at Oratory Catholic Preparatory School. But she said in a statement, “The Archdiocese of Newark takes very seriously any and all credible complaints of sexual misconduct or sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy, religious, lay staff and volunteers of the Archdiocese.”
She confirmed he has been placed on administrative leave. “The Archdiocese also stresses that Fr. DiStefano’s leave should not be interpreted as punishment and he continues to have the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise,” she said. “At the conclusion of a review and external investigation by civil authorities, a determination will be made regarding Fr. DiStefano’s status.”
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