Fr. Michael Walters
“Mitch.” In 8/2015 the Archdiocese received allegations that Walters sexually abused a boy and a girl in the early 1980s while assigned to St. Cassian in Montclair. He was not suspended until 10/2015. One alleged victim claimed that Walters fondled and kissed him repeatedly as a 12-year-old altar boy in 1982; the other said Walters molested her at ages 13-14. Walters denied the allegations. Another woman publicly accused Walters of molesting her twice when she was age 13. A criminal investigation was underway in 7/2016 of allegations that he sexually abused a boy in the 1990s at St. John Nepomuce in Guttenberg. This accuser filed suit 8/17/2016. His attorney said he was representing six Walters victims allegedly abused 1982-1994, ages 8-14. Two more suits were filed in 10/2016. A judge in 10/2017 found probable cause to file charges. Five cases settled in 1/2019. Included on the Archdiocese’s list 2/13/2019. Permanently removed from ministry. Accused in a 7/2020 lawsuit of participating with Cardinal McCarrick and other priests in a sex ring involving children. Reportedly in 2022, Walters was last known to be living in a retirement home for priests in Rutherford.
- NJ.com 01.15.16
- SNAP 01.15.16
- New York Daily News 01.16.16
- Village Green 01.27.16
- Daily North Shore 01.27.16
- Fios 1 07.03.16
- NJ.com 07.20.16
- Jersey Journal 08.11.16
- NJ.com 10.13.16
- NJ.com 09.15.17
- NJ Advance Media 10.02.17
- NBC News 01.14.19
- Newark Star Ledger 01.14.19
- North Jersey Record 01.14.19
- The Sentonian 01.30.19
- Archdiocese of Newark Tobin Letter 02.13.19
- Archdiocese of Newark List 02.13.19
- JA/GG Doe 14 v Diocese of Metucheon et al 07.21.20
- NJ.com 07.22.20
- Statesman Journal 07.23.20
- NorthJersey.com 03.09.22
Sources:
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