Holmdel Priest Removed from Ministry Due to Alleged Sex Abuse

A Holmdel, New Jersey priest was removed from the ministry due to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. The former Burlington County priest held several positions within the Trenton Diocese before his latest post since 2013 as pastor of St. Catharine’s Parish in Holmdel. Allegedly, the abuse occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the priest served at St. Ann’s Parish in Keansburg, New Jersey. Although the allegations were deemed credible after his current parish interviewed the abuse survivor, it is stated that the abuse occurred past the statute of limitations in New Jersey, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. No charges were filed, but the abuse will be reported to each parish in which he served, and the Holmdel priest was removed from the ministry.

The current statute of limitations that exists in New Jersey and many other states limits the ability of sexual abuse survivors from filing claims against their abusers. Decades of fear and shame regarding their past childhood trauma may make it extremely difficult for survivors to work up the courage to hold their perpetrators accountable. While reports issued in February within the state identified clergy members credibly accused of abuse, it may be too late for some survivors to gain the justice they deserve.

If you or a loved one faced clergy abuse as a child, our New Jersey clergy abuse lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr will offer you the strength to go forward in filing a claim against your abuser. Call us today to schedule a free consultation at 732-537-8570 or toll-free at 877-249-4600 or contact us online. We serve clients throughout New Jersey and the following municipalities including New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.