Fr. Henry Brendan Williams

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2019. Multiple allegations noted. Removed from ministry. Arrested in 9/2019, charged with sexually assaulting a girl under age 13 on three occasions 1997-1999. The alleged victim said that she was 12 when Williams touched her on her inner thigh and vaginal area. After news of his arrest, two more women came forward, one alleging that when she was age 12 in 1983, Williams kissed her repeatedly and patted her bottom; the other said that when she was 13 in 1983, he took her to an office to show her something, seemed to attempt to kiss her but she got up and left before he could. Both said the incidents occurred at St. Veronica’s in Howell, and they were students at the parish school. Per the Trenton diocese’s list updated in 6/2021, Williams was laicized. Acquitted by a judge in 7/2021. Williams reportedly said he planned to move to his native Ireland.


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