Fr. Eugene Fanelli

Ordained: 1940
Status: Sued

Died: 05/9/2000
Diocese: Archdiocese of Newark NJ

Assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jersey City until 1953, then Madonna Della Libera (Our Lady of Libera) in West New York until his retirement in 1993. Elevated to monsignor in 1989. Active in retirement at parishes in Mount Carmel, Jersey City, Fort Lee, Newark, West Long Branch. Directed musical theater at parishes. Died 5/9/00. Accused in several lawsuits filed in 2019, 2020 and 2021 of abuse while assigned to Holy Redeemer/Our Lady of Libera, 1975-77. By 11/21 at least four people had claimed abuse by Fanelli as children. One man first told his mother in 2018, who then revealed that his father, who had died by suicide, had also been sexually abused as a child by Fanelli.


Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.

Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.