New Jersey's Catholic Church Faces Surge in Abuse Lawsuits Following Statute of Limitations Reform

Stewart Ryan, Esq. -  NJ Abuse Guardian

In 2019, New Jersey opened a two-year lookback window for catholic church sexual abuse cases in NJ, allowing survivors to file lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred. This legislative change has had significant implications for the Catholic Church in New Jersey, resulting in hundreds of new lawsuits and renewed scrutiny of past abuse cases.

Key Developments in New Jersey Catholic Church Abuse Cases

The lookback window, which ran from December 1, 2019, to November 30, 2021, led to approximately 820 lawsuits against the Catholic Church in New Jersey. This surge in legal action has brought to light numerous allegations of abuse spanning several decades.

Some notable developments include:

• Over 250 Catholic clerics were named in the lawsuits
• Ten lawsuits were filed against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick
• The Newark Archdiocese faced 432 suits, the highest number among New Jersey dioceses
• Religious orders, including the Order of St. Benedict and the Salesians of Don Bosco, also faced numerous lawsuits

Impact on New Jersey Dioceses

The lawsuits have affected all five Catholic dioceses in New Jersey:

1. Archdiocese of Newark
2. Diocese of Camden
3. Diocese of Metuchen
4. Diocese of Paterson
5. Diocese of Trenton

In response to the growing number of allegations, these dioceses released lists of credibly accused priests in 2019. However, survivors' advocates argue that these lists have not been adequately updated since their initial release.

The Independent Victim Compensation Program

In 2019, the New Jersey Catholic Church established the Independent Victim Compensation Program (IVCP) to provide financial settlements to abuse survivors.

This program:

• Offered an alternative to court proceedings
• Allowed survivors to maintain privacy
• Resulted in payments of over $40 million to 348 victims
• Closed in November 2022

High-Profile Cases and Accused Clergy

Several prominent clergy members and church officials have been named in lawsuits, including:

• Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick
• Former Archbishop of Newark Peter Gerety
• Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio

Additionally, some priests and religious order members faced multiple accusations, such as John Capparelli (named in 20 lawsuits) and Timothy Brennan (named in 21 lawsuits).

Legal Implications and Future Outlook

The surge in lawsuits following the lookback window has significant implications for both the Catholic Church and survivors of abuse. While many cases are still pending, the legal action has already led to:

• Increased transparency regarding past abuse cases
• Financial settlements for some survivors
• Renewed public scrutiny of the Church's handling of abuse allegations

As these cases progress through the legal system, it's likely that more information will come to light, potentially leading to further reforms and accountability measures.

Attorney Commentary

Stewart Ryan, Esq., a partner at Abuse Guardians, offers the following insight: "The lookback window in New Jersey has been a crucial step in providing justice for survivors of clergy abuse. By allowing these cases to be heard regardless of when the abuse occurred, we're seeing a more comprehensive picture of the extent of the problem within the Catholic Church. This not only helps individual survivors seek justice but also puts pressure on institutions to implement better safeguards and accountability measures. As these cases move forward, it's essential that we continue to support survivors and work towards preventing future abuse."

Source:

https://verdict.justia.com/2024/08/06/catholic-sexual-abuse-in-new-jersey