Another NJ Priest Accused Of Sex Abuse, But Not On List

Another priest has been removed from the ministry, but he won't face charges despite “credible” allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in the 1970s and 80s at a parish in New Jersey.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office told NJ Advance Media that the priest, the Rev. Msgr. Gregory D. Vaughan, faces allegations that fell outside the statute of limitations.

Vaughan was the pastor at the Church of St. Catherine in Holmdel, while the abuse was alleged to have occurred at the Church of St. Ann in Keansburg, according to Diocese of Trenton. He was not named on the recent list of nearly 200 priests in New Jersey facing credible charges of abuse.

Read more: Here's List Of NJ Priests Accused Of Child Sexual Abuse (UPDATED)

"It is with profound sadness that we report to our community the following," the Diocese of Trenton reported this weekend.

On March 17, 2019, the Diocese of Trenton received an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor against Vaughan, who has served as pastor of St. Catharine Parish in Holmdel since 2013.

The alleged abuse dates back to the late 1970s and early 1980s when Vaughan was a parochial vicar in St. Ann Parish in Keansburg.

Upon receiving this allegation, the Diocese immediately reported it to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. "Following our own interviews with the victim, the Diocese has determined that the allegation is credible." the diocese said. "Msgr. Vaughan has denied the allegation."

As a result of finding the allegation credible, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., removed Msgr. Vaughan from ministry, effective immediately. The allegation will also be reported to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome.

Since his ordination in 1972, Msgr. Vaughan has served his priestly ministry exclusively in the Diocese of Trenton, with assignments in the following parishes: St. Ann; Keansburg; St. Charles Borromeo, Cinnaminson; St. Mary, Middletown; St. Raphael, Hamilton, and St. Catharine, Holmdel.

Additionally, Vaughan formerly served the Diocese as vicar for Catholic education; chancellor; vicar general; moderator of the curia, and director of vocations.

The Diocese encourages anyone who has been sexually abused as a minor by a representative of the Church to report the abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agency, and to the Diocese through its abuse hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via email at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.