Former Catholic Chaplain from TCNJ Accused of Clergy Abuse
A former Catholic chaplain from TCNJ was accused of clergy abuse by a former student of the college. The now 56-year-old male originally from Willingboro, New Jersey stated that in 1982 as an 18-year-old freshmen he attended a dinner hosted by the Catholic Newman Center at TCNJ, formerly named Trenton State College. After the dinner took place, the chaplain who headed the Catholic fellowship asked the victim to meet him in his office and allegedly proceeded to grope him. The man transferred from the college after the incident occurred. Back in the 1970s, the former chaplain fell under suspicion of abusing two young boys within the confines of the Trenton Diocese and was sent away but returned a few years later to another position. He purportedly targeted students at the college while he served as a chaplain among other diocesan roles from 1981 to 1983.
Young children as well as adults may become victims of clergy abuse as demonstrated in the aforementioned story. Survivors of the abuse may feel they cannot speak out against a known reverent institution and the priests who serve the church despite any abuse that occurs. Reports such as the Pennsylvania grand jury report and the task force created by the New Jersey Attorney General act as confirmation that the crimes committed against the clergy abuse survivors did indeed happen and that they are not alone.
If you or someone you love experienced the trauma of sexual abuse, our New Jersey clergy abuse lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr will fight to protect your rights. Please call us today at 732-537-8570 or toll-free at 877-249-4600 or contact us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation. We proudly represent clients throughout New Jersey and in the municipalities of New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
