Newark Archdiocese Hit With 2 Sex Abuse Suits Under New State Law

NEWARK, NJ — Capitalizing on a recently signed state law, several people launched lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Newark earlier this week, claiming they were sexually abused by clergy members.

The accused religious leaders include former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked in February 2019 following accusations that he sexually abused multiple boys and sexually harassed seminarians. McCarrick previously served as the former archbishop of Newark and bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen.

Another of the accused clergy, deceased Newark Archdiocese priest Augustine Giella, allegedly sexually abused several young sisters after being transferred to Pennsylvania, according to their lawsuit.

When Gov. Phil Murphy signed S-477 into law in May, the hope from its supporters was that the legislation would give survivors of sexual abuse a chance to get legal justice, even though the statute of limitations might be up for their claims.

The law – which took effect on Dec. 1 – created a two-year window for victims to file lawsuits. Child sex abuse victims can sue until they turn 55, or within seven years of realizing the abuse that harmed them.

Those who have since filed claims include John Bellocchio, who is alleging that McCarrick sexually abused him as a teenager in 1995 at a parish in Hackensack.

According to Bellocchio, McCarrick – who was serving as archbishop in Newark at the time – was protected by the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis and the “U.S. church hierarchy” due to his fame and fundraising ability.

“The reality is simple,” Bellocchio said. “The Catholic Church can do better, should do better, and must do better to protect the children in its care. If it wants to have a future filled with young people, it’s time for eloquence of action and an end to eloquence of words.”

Bellocchio and his attorneys held a press conference on Monday to discuss their lawsuit (watch video below).

A separate lawsuit against the Newark Archdiocese was announced on Monday by Patty Fortney-Julius and Lara Fortney-McKeever, two sisters who are alleging that former Newark Archdiocese priest Augustine Giella sexually abused them and their siblings.

According to the Fortney sisters, Giella met them after he was transferred to the diocese in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He then sexually abused several of the young sisters in Pennsylvania and on trips to his New Jersey summer home, their attorneys claim.

Giella, who died in 1992, also served at St. Catharine's in Glen Rock, the Church of the Epiphany in Cliffside Park and Our Lady of Sorrows in Jersey City.

“This is a momentous day for our family because we can finally move forward in our search for justice,” Patty Fortney-Julius said at a news conference Monday.

The sisters have been speaking about their experience and sex abuse in the Catholic Church for the past year, after a grand jury report detailed systemic sexual abuse by hundreds of alleged predator priests and more than 1,000 child victims over a 70-year period in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

• See related article: NJ To Probe Church Sex Abuse Claims After Bombshell PA Report

Cardinal Joseph Tobin, the current Archbishop of Newark, has previously expressed “sorrow” about sex abuse in the church, and has said local religious leaders have an “unshakable intention never to return to business as usual.”

• See related article: Newark Archbishop Speaks About Church Sex Abuse Charges

In June, the New Jersey Independent Victim Compensation Program (IVCP) began accepting claims related to the sexual abuse of minors by diocesan priests or deacons of the Roman Catholic dioceses of Newark, Paterson, Metuchen, Camden and Trenton.

All compensation paid pursuant to the IVCP will come from church funds. No public money will be used to pay eligible claims. Necessary funds are expected to be provided through loans, insurance, self-insurance funds and the sale of property.

The Archdiocese of Newark said it will not use contributions made by parishioners of the Archdiocese to support parishes, schools, and charitable works, nor will it use donations for a specific ministry or apostolate.

“This program is a sign of our commitment to the continued healing of victims who were sexually abused as a minor by a member of our Archdiocesan clergy,” Tobin said. “It is a genuine expression of our remorse and our desire to make amends for past transgressions, and I sincerely hope it will meaningfully assist victims and bring them a measure of peace.”

Victims of clergy sexual abuse of a minor can begin the claims process and review the program protocol and Frequently Asked Questions by going to www.NJdiocesesIVCP.com. The IVCP will conclude on Dec. 31, 2019. All individual claims must be submitted by that date.

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