Clergy Sex Abuse Cover-up Sparks Lawsuit Against Diocese of Erie

A lawsuit was filed in early July of this year against the Diocese of Erie, alleging fraudulent concealment. A woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, referred to here as ‘Jane Doe’, has alleged that she was molested by Rev. Michael G. Barletta in the 1970s. At the center of the lawsuit is her claim that the Erie Diocese not only covered-up previous allegations against Rev. Barletta, but, more disturbingly, let him remain in active ministry which allowed him the access to later molest her. Her lawsuit explains that she had no idea of the Erie Diocese’s history of protecting child predators until the statewide grand jury report was released in 2018

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New Jersey Extended the Civil Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse Claims

On May 13, 2019, the Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, signed S477 which extended the statute of limitations in civil actions for sexual abuse claims.

The Act extends the ability of a child victim to file a lawsuit claim until they reach 55 years old, or 7 years from the date they became aware of the abuse, whichever is later. This is a significant step forward.

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US Catholic Bishops’ Report Shows Clergy Sex Abuse Claims Tripled in 2019

In June 2020, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released the “Report on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People”. This independent audit started in 2002 and has been updated several times since then. The findings noted covers July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. The Catholic Church will say it has made strides to curb clergy abuse, but it also recognizes it has a long way to go.

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Diocese of Trenton Facing Multiple Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

The Diocese of Trenton is facing at least 10 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse; all filed by the same attorney. Over the almost last two decades since the Boston Globe expose in 2002, the public has become more aware of the Roman Catholic Church’s ongoing cover-up of child abuse. What the Diocese of Trenton is facing is the increased pressure from state officials , state office, and plaintiff attorneys seeking accountability and justice.

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Former New Jersey Priest Accused A Second Time of Sexual Abuse

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is defending himself again against a second allegation of sexual abuse while serving in the Archdiocese of Newark. The first accusation came in 2019. Mark Matzek, a then 56-year-old man, accused DiMarzio and a second priest, Rev. Albert Mark (deceased) of repeated abuse while he was an altar boy at St. Nicholas Church and a student at St. Nicholas School. The second accusation of abuse was made by Samier Tadros, 46. On March 9, the Associated Press reported that Tadros’s attorney notified the Newark Archdiocese’s attorneys of the accusation. Samier Tadros claims he was sexually abused repeatedly at Holy Rosary Church in Jersey City when he was 6 years old.

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Diocese of Providence Challenges Rhode Island’s New Sexual Abuse Law

In May of 2019 The Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to extend the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse. Jim Scanlan, who is a sexual abuse survivor, noted “This was about protecting future generations of kids, as well as enabling survivors who haven’t come forward or are trying to come forward to have a voice.”

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Lawsuit in New Mexico Alleges Pedophile Priest was Transferred to other Parishes where Abuse Continued

A lawsuit, filed by a ‘John Doe’ in order to protect the victim’s identity, was filed in Bernalillo County, New Mexico against two Alamogordo parishes, as well as dioceses within the states of New Mexico and Massachusetts. The lawsuit alleges the victim was sexually abused by a former priest, Rev. David Holley, and that the diocese and parishes included in the lawsuit are partly responsible because they allowed a known predator to prey on young children.

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North Carolina Passes Sexual Abuse Law Reforms Helping Survivors

In November 2019, Governor Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 199 into law. In the signing of the bill, which went into effect December 1, 2019, North Carolina took a positive step forward in protecting sexual abuse and assault victims. The bill closed loopholes like sexual contact under the premise of medical treatment, or consent revocation involving incapacitation by alcohol. These types of loopholes made it harder to prosecute sexual predators.

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