Diocese of Trenton NJ - BishopAccountability.org

58 Accused in This Diocese

Br. Deogratias Aguilar

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Order: SVD
Status: Indicted

Named publicly as accused by the Society of the Divine Word, Chicago Province on its list in 5/2021. Worked in IL, Mexico, NJ, NY, PA. Professed vows in 1969. Died in 2008. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. It notes an allegation by one person, occurring in the 1970s in Bordentown, NJ.

Assignments:

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Fr. Romannilo Apura

Ordained: 1975
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Arrested 8/21/2014, charged with molesting a 16-year-old boy in a Trenton home in late spring or early summer. A second incident occurred in June, when Apura attempted to remove the same boy's pants. Suspended without privileges during investigation. Had been assigned to St. Martha's in Point Pleasant since July 2012. Prior to that was at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton June 2007-July 2012. The Diocese said this was the only complaint it had received regarding Apura. Pleaded guilty in 8/2015 to aggravated criminal sexual contact. Sentenced 11/20/2015 to three years in prison, ordered to register as sex offender, and lifetime parole. Time to be served at a specialized adult treatment center for sex offenders. Mental health evaluation found Apura to have "repetitive and compulsive behavior." Released 11/30/2017. Included on the diocese's list 2/13/2019. Removed from ministry. Per the list in 2021, Apura was laicized.

Assignments:

The Trentonian 11.20.15

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Fr. Edward Balestrieri

Order: OSST
Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 09/10/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Removed from ministry 5/1/2002 after a woman wrote to the Trinitarians to complain that Balestrieri "inappropriately touched her son," age 11, in 1975 in Trenton, NJ, when he was a member of the Order. He had been incardinated into the Belleville Diocese in 1985. On 1/24/2009 the Belleville diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave/Retired." Died 9/10/2012. On the Belleville diocese's list of credibly accused 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Sources:

Fr. Ronald R. Becker

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Ordained: 1973
Status: Settled

Died: 01/21/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Removed from parish work in 1989. Faculties removed in 2002 after "credible complaints." Two prior settlements. Arrested in 3/2007 on charges of molesting a female family member when she was ages 5-11 in the 1980s. Pleaded not guilty in 6/2007. Died in 1/2009. Diocese paid woman $325K to settle her claim in 11/2009. Accused of abuse of five altar boys in Ewing in the 1970s and 1980s. Settlement with the five men for $1M in 6/2011. On the Buffalo diocese's updated list 11/5/2018. Noted to have been a seminarian from Trenton. On the Trenton diocese's list 2/13/2019. Per news in 6/2020, two more lawsuits were filed. A suit in 8/2020 claims abuse in 1982 of a 12-year-old.

Br. Gary Craanen

Order: SVD
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Professed vows for the Society of the Divine Word Chicago Province in 1971. Worked in Bordentown NJ 1973-1977 as vice-principal and disciplinarian at the Divine Word Seminary High School. Left the Order in 1977. Allegations were made public in 1/2012 that Craanen solicited two teenage boys for sex in NJ in the 1970s. Retired from his job of 30 years as a religion teacher at a Catholic school in Racine WI as a result of the allegations. Included on the Order's list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Society of the Divine Word Chicago Province Assignments

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Fr. George M. Brembos

Ordained: 1956
Status: Sued

Died: 06/15/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Monsignor. Named publicly in 11/2021 by Attorney Jeff Anderson as accused in a lawsuit filed under the NJ Victims' Rights Bill. Died 6/15/2011.

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Fr. Richard C. Brietske

Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the Trenton diocese on its list 2/13/2019. One alleged victim noted. Former Chancellor, among other prominent roles in the diocese. Retired in 2012. Removed from ministry.

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Fr. Gerard J. Brown

Ordained: 1961
Status: Sued

Died: 06/19/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly as accused by the Trenton diocese on its list 2/13/2019. Multiple alleged victims noted. Died in 2013. One accuser stated publicly in 6/2019 that when he was a 16-year-old seminary student and parishioner at St. Mary of the Lake in Lakewood, Brown abused and attempted to rape him. In a 12/2019 lawsuit a man alleged Brown abused him at age 15. He said church officials called him a liar at the time, and that they covered up multiple cases involving the priest. Brown died in 6/2013.

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Fr. Francis Bruno

Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Removed from a seminary because of improper behavior. Graduated from another. Accused in a 1994 lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy, ages 12-14, 1978-1981. The abuse allegedly occurred at parishes in Woodbridge and South Amboy and at the Stella Maris Retreat on Long Beach Island. Removed from ministry. Included on the diocese's list 2/13/2019. Multiple alleged victims noted. Per the list in 11/2023, Bruno was laicized.

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Seminarian Marcin Burek

Status: Arrested

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

From Poland. Arrested in 10/2011 after driving down streets and trying to lure at least four girls, ages 13-19, into his car by offering them alcohol and offering to pay them $10 for sex. Per the Diocese, Burek was studying on a student visa to gain "parish ministry experience and to further discern his vocation." He was attending St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD and had just begun a pastoral year at St. Catherine Laboure in Middletown NJ. He denied the allegations. Removed from parish setting and no longer attending seminary.

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Fr. Michael J. Burns

Ordained: 1973
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Accused publicly in 3/2004 of sexually abusing a girl when she was a sixth grader in 1975. Her complaint was originally made in 2002; the Diocese investigated, found no proof and allowed Burns to continue in active ministry. She filed suit in 2004. Burns retired in good standing in 2017.

Sources:

NJcom 03.05.04

Fr. Peter R. Cebulka

Order: CO
Ordained: 1993
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly in 11/2021 by Attorney Jeff Anderson as accused in a lawsuit filed under the NJ Victims' Rights Bill. In 11/2021 the website of St. Ann's Parish in Raritan, NJ (Diocese of Metuchen) shows Cebulka as Head of School and teacher. His name is no longer on the school's site in 12/2022.

Sources:

Jeff Anderson and Associates 11.18.21

Fr. Velanmarukudiyil Christudasl

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Order: OSB
Status: Acquitted

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Also known as Rev. V.J. Christudas. From India. Visiting priest at Church of the Visitation in Brick from 2001. Arrested 7/14/2012 and charged with criminal sexual contact of both an adult woman, her 5-year-old daughter, and her 13-year-old son. The woman complained to police on 7/13/2012 after the priest paid a visit to her home. Detectives found probable cause to file charges. Privileges removed by diocese. The woman filed civil suit 7/3/2014 on behalf of herself and her two children. Acquitted at criminal trial in 10/2014 of child molestation, found guilty of groping the woman. Sentenced to two years probation.

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Deacon Charles J. Comito

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Ordained: 1998
Status: Accused

Died: 08/16/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Ordained for the permanent diaconate in 1998. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2019. Removed from ministry in 2007. One alleged victim noted. Former coordinator of the diocesan Family Life Education Counsel. He and his wife held seminars in the 1970s and into the 1980s for parents on teaching sexuality to their children. Died in 8/16/2015 in FL.

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Fr. Glenn Michael Davidowich

Ordained: 1989
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Member of the Passaic Eparchy of the Byzantine Catholic Church. Identified in 2002 as founder of a website featuring videos of teenage boys wrestling in speedo swimsuits. Eparchy did nothing. Placed on leave in 2011 when a man accused Davidowich of abusing him as a boy at St. Mary the Assumption in Trenton in the late 1980s-early 1990s, beginning when the man was 15. The Eparchy paid the alleged victim $200K in 6/2011 to settle claims before suit filed. Living in WI in 2011. Another settlement 6/29/2013. Laicized 4/2/2013.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Leon Dicks

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Died: 10/4/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Accused at some point of sexually abusing a girl, ages 11-14, about thirty times during 1958-1961, when the girl was a hospital patient. Dicks was a chaplain at St. Francis Hospital in Trenton where the girl received treatment, and the abuse occurred in her hospital room. A claim in the case was settled in 5/2020 in the low six figures. Dicks died 10/4/2009.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Sources:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Fr. Benjamin R. Dino

Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2018. One alleged victim noted. Deceased.

Sources:

Asbury Park Press 02.18.19

Fr. Lawrence W. Donovan

Ordained: 1937
Status: Settled

Died: 01/21/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by attorney Mitchell Garabedian on 1/19/2021. Allegedly sexually abused an altar boy, age 13, in 1946, while assigned to St. Joseph's in Trenton. The abuse included sodomy. The suit settled in 2020 in the low six figures on behalf of the estate of the alleged victim, who died prior to the resolution of the case.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. John J. Eagan

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Ordained: 1933
Status: Sued

Died: 12/7/1981
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly in 11/2021 by Attorney Jeff Anderson as accused in a lawsuit filed under the NJ Victims' Rights Bill. Died 12/7/1981.

Sources:

Jeff Anderson and Associates 11.18.21

Fr. Jean-Level Eliscard

Ordained: 1990
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Ordained in Haiti in 1990. Working in New Jersey when arrested in 11/1994 for the recent sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. He was at the airport awaiting a flight to Haiti when arrested. Convicted in 1995; received a three-year probated sentence. Returned to Haiti. In 2003 he was working in a Canadian diocese. Prior to offense, he had worked in the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

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Fr. Joseph J. Farrell

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Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 4/2021 of sexually abusing a boy, age 13 or 14, in 1988 or 1989. The abuse allegedly included rape. The boy was a student at St. Agnes in Atlantic Highlands.

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Fr. Manuel R.M. Fernandez

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 08/1/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

From Spain. Monsignor. Placed on leave in 2002 after he was accused of inappropriate conduct with a young girl in 1982. DA's office said matter was beyond statute of limitations. A Diocesan committee recommended he be removed. Returned to Spain where he was an active priest in the Diocese of Ourense. Died at age 71 in 8/2006. On the Trenton diocese's list 2/13/2019. Multiple alleged victims noted.

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Fr. William F. Fitzgerald

Ordained: 1950
Status: Sued

Died: 01/13/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Monsignor. Named publicly in 11/2021 by Attorney Jeff Anderson as accused in a lawsuit filed under the NJ Victims’ Rights Bill. Died in 2014.

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Fr. Thomas I. Flynn

Ordained: 1942
Status: Sued

Died: 05/25/1980
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly in 11/2021 by Attorney Jeff Anderson as accused in a lawsuit filed under the NJ Victims' Rights Bill. Flynn died 5/25/1980.

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Fr. Thomas J. Frain

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 01/17/1997
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Monsignor. Pastor of St. Ann's in Lawrenceville 1967-1995. Retired in 1995. Died in 1997. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2019. Multiple alleged victims noted.

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Fr. Michael M. Garry

Ordained: 1939
Status: Settled

Died: 12/11/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

From Ireland. Ordained in Rome before World War II. May have started as a Benedictine. Worked his first two years of priesthood in Manchester, England prior to arrival in the U.S., due to complications of WWII. Worked in the Sacramento diocese and Newark archdiocese before Trenton. Accused by a woman of repeatedly molesting and stalking her for three years late 1950s-early 1960s, beginning when she was age 11 and Garry was assigned to St. Mark's in Sea Girt, NJ. Confession was allegedly used in the abuse, and included digital penetration. Stalking and abuse allegedly continued after reassignment. Retired in 1981. Died 12/11/1988. Settlement in 12/2019 in the low six figures in case of abuse of two girls, ages 12 and 9, beginning1960 and 1961.

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Fr. J. Gerard Griffin

Ordained: 1938
Status: Settled

Died: 08/30/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Also known as Gerald J. Griffin. Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Trenton on its list 2/13/2019. Multiple alleged victims noted. Sick leave 1962-1969. Assigned in the Diocese of Springfield IL from the early 1970s. Appears to have spent a short time at a parish rectory in Baltimore MD in the late 1970s. Died in 1986. Included on the Springfield IL diocese's list 9/23/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Douglas U. Hermansen

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Ordained: 1979
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2019. One alleged victim noted. Removed from ministry. Per news in 6/2020, Hermansen was accused in a lawsuit of the sexual abuse of an altar boy, age 15, in 1975, prior to ordination. The suit claims Hermansen anally penetrated the boy over 100 times. Accused in a suit in 8/2020 of abusing a child, ages 12-13, in 1985-1986. Settlement in 2020 in the low six figures of a claim that Hermansen sexually abused an altar boy during 1979-1983, when the boy was ages 13-17.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Donald E. Hickey

Ordained: 1939
Status: Settled

Died: 06/28/1993
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Died in 1993. Accused at some point of sexually abusing a 9-year-old boy at least twice in 1975, while assigned to Nativity Church in Fair Haven. The abuse included forced oral sex and sodomy. A claim in the case settled in 12/2019 in the low six figures.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Sources:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Fr. Frank J. Iazetta

Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Died: 03/14/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly as accused by the Trenton diocese on its list 2/13/2019. Multiple alleged victims noted. Per news in 6/2020, four lawsuits had been filed claiming sexual abuse of children in the 1970s; one suit alleged he touched and massaged a 7-year-old girl's vagina in 1975. A suit filed 7/10/2020 claims Iazetta groomed and abused a boy for 16 years, including while the boy was a student St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. Iazetta left the school after 1974. Transferred in 1986 to Tennessee. Included 11/4/2021 on the Diocese of Nashville's list, which notes that he was assigned to parishes in Nashville and Tullahoma and that he resigned the priesthood in 1993. (Name misspelled Iazzetta.) He died 3/14/2007.

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Fr. Vincent J. Inghilterra

Ordained: 1972
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Attorney Garabedian announced settlement 9/2013 on behalf of one individual who alleged abuse by Inghilterra during 1970s when he was chaplain at Trenton State Teachers College in NJ. This was first public naming of Inghilterra although Trenton officials found the allegations credible in 5/2013 and suspended him then. Military Chaplain, per the 1989 Official Catholic Directory. In 2012 he was leading pilgrimages to France, Fatima, Italy and Medjugorje. In 9/2016 the Diocese agreed to a 6-figure settlement witha man claiming abuse by Inghilterra at age 16 in 1979. The man said that after an incident, another teen told him he was "now one of Fr. Vince's boys." Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused 2/13/2019. Per the list in 6/2021, Inglhilterra was laicized.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Francis J.C. Janos

Ordained: 1946
Status: Accused

Died: 11/29/1982
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2019. Multiple alleged victims noted. Died 11/29/1982.

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Fr. Leo A. Kelty

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Died: 05/15/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Monsignor. Placed on leave in 2002 after a review of diocesan records showed that Kelty was accused of inappropriately touching a young girl on at least two occasions more than 20 years prior. Case beyond statute of limitations, per the D.A.'s office. On diocese's list 2/13/2019. Died 5/15/2018.

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Fr. Jose Ignatius Kuruthukulaugara

Status: Charged

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Visiting priest from India. Charged with abusing a 7-year-old girl in 1988. Allowed to return to India. Spelling of last name is per 1988 Catholic Directory. News article spelled it "Kuruthurukulangara."

Sources:

Asbury Press 04.04.02

Fr. Eugene Kwapisz

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1964
Status: Settled

Died: 01/27/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly as accused by Attorney Mitchell Garabedian in 5/2021. Subject of a claim settled in 2021 in the low six figures. Allegedly sexually abused an altar boy, ages 13-16, 1983-1985, while assigned to St. Casimir in Riverside NJ. The abuse is said to have occurred in the parish rectory and in hotel rooms during trips. Kwapisz died 1/27/1988. Per his obituary, Kwapisz worked at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore MD for 10 years, then at parishes in PA, NJ and GA.

Assignments:

Law Offices of Mitchel Garabedian 05.27.21

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Fr. Gerald F. Lyons

Ordained: 1961
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Accused in a claim settled in 2020 in the low six figures of sexually abusing a girl, ages 4-5, in 1964-1965, while assigned to St. Anthony's in Trenton. The abuse allegedly occurred in the church rectory and involved Lyons digitally penetrating the girl's vagina while she sat in his lap. Per the Official Catholic Directory, Lyons went on leave of absence in 1973, after which he is no longer indexed.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Sources:

Garabedian List 01.19.21

Fr. Patrick Francis Magee

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Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Died: 12/9/2023
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Attended seminary in Ireland. Worked in the Trenton diocese. Returned to Ireland on vacation in 2003 where he was accused of abusing a boy between 1965 and 1969, when Magee was a seminarian. Arrested in Ireland. Allegations of abuse of two adults also raised in Trenton. Charges in Ireland dropped in 2004 after alleged victim's suicide. Magee returned to Trenton and asked to be reinstated. He is shown as retired in the 2007-2010 Catholic Directories. Included on the Trenton diocese's list 2/13/2019. Multiple alleged victims noted. Removed from ministry. Subject of settlement(s). Died 12/9/2023.

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Fr. Terence O. McAlinden

Ordained: 1965
Status: Settled

Died: 02/6/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Removed without privileges in 9/2007 after the Diocese was informed by the prosecutor's office of claims that McAlinden had sexually abused a juvenile for years, beginning in 1985. Civil suit filed; dismissed. No criminal charges due to the statute of limitations. The Diocesan Review Board deemed the allegations credible. Matter forwarded to the Vatican. The same man filed isuit n 2009 in DE. In 2011 a man said he reported abuse in 1989 and settled with the Diocese in 1992. Another man alleged abuse in the late 1960s. Suit still before the court in 6/2014. The Diocese claimed no responsibility for McAlinden's behavior because he was "off duty" at the time of abuse. It settled in 10/2014 with a man claiming abuse by McAlinden in the 1980s. Died 2/6/2015. On the Diocese's list 2/13/2019.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Joseph F. McHugh

Ordained: 1973
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

The Diocese was warned in the early 1990s by another priest about McHugh's behavior with children. McHugh was accused of molesting a boy 1995-1996, beginning when the boy was age 9. Placed on leave, sent to Vianney Center in PA for treatment. Pleaded guilty in 2005. Sentenced in 4/2006 to 5 years' probation on a lesser charge so his victim would not have to testify. Civil suit filed and settled. No privileges after 1996. On the Diocese's list 2/13/2019, which notes multiple victims. Deceased. A lawsuit filed in 12/2019 claims abuse of a boy, ages 11-16, during 1979-1984. An 8/2020 suit alleges abuse of a child, ages 10-12, in 1980-1982. Accused of abuse of a girl, ages 6-7, in 1974-1975; settlement in the low five figures in 2/2020.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. William J. McKeone

Ordained: 1972
Status: Settled

Died: 05/17/2021
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly by the diocese as accused on its list 2/13/2019. Multiple alleged victims noted. Removed from ministry. (The list shows McKeone's ordination year as 1969; per the Official Catholic Directory, it was 1972.) Accused of abuse of an altar boy, ages 13-14, in 1975-1976, while assigned to St. Denis in Manasquan. Settlement in that case in 12/2019, in the low six figures. McKeone died 5/17/2021.

Assignments:

Garabedian Law Offices Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Richard R. Milewski

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Ordained: 1983
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Accused in a 5/2009 lawsuit of abusing a 13-year-old boy and other boys 1984-1985, while assigned to St. Veronica's Church in Howell. On one occasion, Milewski allegedly abused the boys on an overnight trip to a spa in the Poconos. On leave during diocesan investigation. A second plaintiff who was added to the lawsuit 6/30/2009 alleged abuse on a different trip during same time span. On diocese's list 2/13/2019. Noted to have been removed from ministry.

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Fr. Liam A. Minogue

Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Died: 03/6/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Monsignor. Died in 2007. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2019. One victim noted. Per the list in 6/2021, there are multiple victims.

Sources:

Fr. Sebastian L. Muccilli

Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Died: 02/16/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly as crediibly accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2019. One alleged victim noted. Died 2/16/2015 in FL.

Sources:

Br. Kurt Robert Munn

Order: OFM
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Assigned to the Franciscans' Retreat House in DeWitt MI 1964-1967, to the order's Novitiate in Catskill NY 1967-1968, again in DeWitt 1968-1972. Transferred to NJ in 1972, returning to DeWitt, MI 1979-1986, back to NJ 1986-1993. Released from his vows in 4/1994. Accused publicly in 4/2019 of sexually abusing a boy 1972-1979 while assigned to Holy Assumption School in Roebling, NJ. Munn began raping the plaintiff when he was a 7-year-old altar boy. The plaintiff filed a report with the NJ State Police in 1996; Munn admitted to abusing the boy as well as over a dozen others, including three in MI, but the statute of limitations wouldn't allow for prosecution. The Diocese of Trenton confirmed in 2019 to receiving multiple allegations against Munn in 1998 and 2007, from his time at Holy Assumption. In 4/2019 he was still living in DeWitt, MI. Reportedly known in DeWitt as having been a firefighter and active with the Knights of Columbus. A civil lawsuit was filed in 12/2019 under a new NJ law by the man victimized as a boy 1972-1979. A second man filed suit in early 2020 alleging abuse in NJ beginning at age 10. Included in the MI Attorney General's 12/16/2024 Diocese of Lansing Report.

Sources:

Fr. Henry A. Murphy

Ordained: 1956
Status: Sued

Died: 05/15/1980
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

From Ireland. Died in 1980, age 53. Named publicly in 11/2021 by Attorney Jeff Anderson as accused in a lawsuit filed under the NJ Victims' Rights Bill.

Sources:

- Asbury Park Press Obituary 05.16.80
- Jeff Anderson and Associates 11.18.21

Sr. Mary Nazareen

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Order: RSM
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 1/2020 of sexually abusing a girl in the 1960s at Holy Cross School in Rumson when the girl was kindergarten to 7th grade. The school employed the Sisters of Mercy.

Sources:

Fr. Charles P. O’Donoghue

Order: CSSp
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

A 7/2009 civil suit claimed abuse of a 7-year-old girl and her 8-year-old brother by a John O'Donoghue at St. Catharine's in Spring Lake during 1972-1974. Per the Diocese, Rev. Charles O'Donoghue was assigned there 1969-1974; there were no records of "John." The Diocese had been informed of abuse by Charles O'Donoghue in 2002. Another letter received 7/10/2009 named John. A member of an Irish religious order, Charles O'Donoghue returned to Ireland in 1975 and is believed to have died in 1986.

Sources:

Fr. Edward O’Neill

Ordained: 1971
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Monsignor. Named publicly in 11/2021 by Attorney Jeff Anderson as accused in a lawsuit filed under the NJ Victims' Rights Bill. Pastor Emeritus in 11/2021 of St. John Vianney Parish in Colonia NJ.

Sources:

Jeff Anderson and Associates 11.18.21

Fr. Robert J. Parenti

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Ordained: 1972
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Placed on leave in 1998 after allegations that he had been involved 25 years prior in sexual misconduct with a minor. He was living at St. Veronica's parish in Howell Township and working at the Diocesan Tribunal in Lawrence at that time. No criminal charges filed. Included on the diocese's list of credibly accused 2/13/2019. Multiple allegations noted. Removed from ministry.

Sources:

Deacon Joseph J. Prioli

Ordained: 2005
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Deacon. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/3/2019. One alleged victim noted. Removed from ministry. Arrested in 1/2017, charged with sexually assaulting a child, who was a relative, for years, beginning in 2007. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced in 9/2017 to five years in prison.

Sources:

Fr. Joseph R. Punderson

Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Monsignor. Working at the Vatican since 1995 as Defender of the Bond at the Apostolic Signature. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2019. One alleged victim noted. Had been credibly accused in 2003 of sexually abusing a minor 23 years prior. The Holy See was informed, Punderson offered to resign, but he was allowed to continue in his role. In Fall 2018 the Trenton bishop instructed him to resign; this time his resignation was accepted. Removed from all public ministry.

Sources:

Fr. Matthew Riedlinger

Ordained: 2010
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Complaints to Bishop O'Connell in 2011 that Riedlinger engaged in explicit sexting, emails and verbal conversations with students in seminary. Bishop sent him to counseling and lectured him. Two men set up Internet sting in 2012 and the priest exchanged over 1200 explicit text messages and emails with what he thought was 16-year-old old boy. The men (supported by three others) gave transcripts of the exchanges to the bishop in 2012. Removed; sent to in-patient treatment. No publicity until 2013. Privileges permanently removed 10/2013.

Fr. Thomas A. Rittenhouse

Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

Died: 06/26/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2019. One alleged victim noted. Died 6/26/2006. Lawsuit filed in 1/2021, alleging abuse of a child 1981-1982, while assigned to Holy Cross in Rumson.

Sources:

Fr. John E. Sullivan

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Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 2/13/2019. Multiple alleged victims noted. Deceased.

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Fr. Florencio Peneda Tumang

Ordained: 1948
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

In a 1993 civil suit, four families alleged their daughters were abused by Tumang between 1987 and 1992. Parents of one of them allegedly told diocesan officials in 1990, but no action was taken. Tumang later assaulted the fourth girl, who was age 14. Tumang was indicted twice in 1992 but fled, possibly to the Philippines. Warrants were out for his arrest. Included on the diocese's list of credibly accused 2/13/2019. Per the list, Tumang was ordained in 1980, but the Official Catholic Directories show his ordination as 1948. Deceased.

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Fr. Gregory D. Vaughan

Ordained: 1972
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Monsignor. Parish priest, former vicar for Catholic education, chancellor, vicar general, moderator of the curia, director of vocations. In 3/2019, the diocese announced it had received a credible allegation against Vaughan of child sexual abuse, occurring in the late 1970s-early 1980s, while he was assigned to St. Ann's in Keansburg. Removed from ministry. In 4/2019 the diocese quietly updated its list, noting that there were multiple victims. Case reported to law enforcement, and to be sent to the Vatican. Per news in 6/2020, Vaughan was accused in a lawsuit of sexually abusing an altar boy, age 8, on multiple occasions in 1987. The abuse included anal penetration and forced oral copulation.

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Fr. Henry Brendan Williams

Ordained: 1965
Status: Acquitted

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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Fr. Gabriel Zeis

Order: TOR
Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Trenton NJ

Director and chaplain of Princeton University's Catholic campus ministry and Diocesan Vicar for Catholic Education in 9/2019 when accused of sexually abusing a minor in 1975, prior to ordination. Denied the allegation. Resigned. On 6/16/2020 the TOR Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus announced that investigations by the Attorney General and Order could not substantiate the allegation and deemed it not credible. Zeis was to be reinstated.

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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.