Fr. Lawrence J. Gadek
Ordained in 1955. Appears to have left the priesthood around 1966-1967. Reportedly in 1968 Gadek was married and became a father. The following year another child was born to the family and they were living in Forked River. In 1972 the couple divorced. Gadek was named publicly as credibly accused by the Archdiocese on its 2/13/2019 list, with multiple alleged victims noted. Gadek was permanently removed from ministry and laicized. In 1/2020 there was a settlement in the mid-six figures. In that case, Gadek was accused of sexually abusing a girl, ages 11-13, in 1960-1962, while assigned to St. Catherine’s in Hillside. Two more lawsuits were filed in 8/2025 by two sisters, claiming that Gadek sexually abused them as children 1977-1981, while he was teaching at Forked River Elementary School and Lanoka Harbor Elementary School. The girls were ages 8 and 6 when the sexual abuse started. The abuse is said to have involved Gadek asking them inappropriate questions and taking their photos while making them partially undress and instructing them to masturbate. The sisters said he also fondled them. The girls were living at the time with their grandmother. They said the abuse stopped after they disclosed it to her and she told their school.
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.