Hundreds of Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Filed in 2020 Against Catholic Church in New Jersey

More than 230 sexual abuse lawsuits were filed against the five Catholic dioceses in New Jersey from December 2019 to December 2020. The large number of lawsuits directly coincides with the state’s extension of its statute of limitations laws in civil actions for sexual abuse claims as well as its opening of a revival window which allows time barred claims to be brought before a specific date. The New Jersey revival window is set to close on November 30, 2021. Since it can often take years before a sexual abuse survivor feels comfortable enough to talk about being abused, extending the statute of limitations and opening the revival window gives victims an opportunity to receive some justice for what was done to them.

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Dioceses of Camden Files for Bankruptcy

On Oct. 1, 2020, the Diocese of Camden filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A press release subsequent to the filing cited COVID-19, payments already made through the Victims Compensation Program, and state legislative changes regarding the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims as the reasons the Diocese sought bankruptcy protection.

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Survivor Payments Suspended by Camden Diocese IVCP

Survivors who chose to seek clergy abuse compensation from the Diocese of Camden through the Independent Victim Compensation Program (“IVCP”) will have to wait a little longer. In July, the diocese suspended making new payments through its Independent Victim Compensation Program (“IVCP”). Camden diocese officials told program administrators Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille Biros the suspension was necessary because of a “precipitous decline in revenue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic”.

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How Long Do I Have to File a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit in New Jersey?

How long you have to file a clergy abuse lawsuit in New Jersey is a common question. For some New Jersey clergy abuse survivors, it may take years, even decades to recall the abuse since traumatic events suffered as a child are often suppressed. Even those who haven’t blocked those memories often still need many years to process the pain and receive treatment or counseling before they are ready to share their stories.

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Lawsuit Alleges Former Cardinal McCarrick Involved in ‘Sex Ring’

A lawsuit has been filed in New Jersey Superior Court against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick for what’s being called a ‘sex ring’. The lawsuit is being brought by one of the survivors, who chose to remain anonymous, but is referenced as “Doe 14” in court documents. The complaint alleges Doe 14 was groomed to be part of a sex ring scheme that was headed up by then Bishop McCarrick. The complaint notes the scheme perpetuated over dozens of years and included multiple minors, some of which were seminarians, or those studying to become priests.

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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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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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