Fr. Raymond L. Cole
Cole was pastor of St. Joseph’s in Hillsborough, NJ when removed from active ministry, as announced 10/25/2013, after an allegation that he sexually abused minor in late the 1970s. He was pastor at St. Mary’s in South Amboy at the time of the alleged abuse. The county prosecutor informed the Diocese; there were no criminal charges due to statute of limitations. The Diocesan Review Board and a retired investigator deemed the allegation “not frivolous.” Cole denied the allegation. 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.
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