Top Archdiocese Official Steps down after Ex-colts Neck Priest Arrest

By Stephanie Loder
Asbury Park Press
May 25, 2013

http://www.app.com/article/20130525/NJNEWS/305250046/Top-Archdiocese-official-steps-down-after-ex-Colts-Neck-priest-arrest

Archbishop of Newark John J. Myers at the Catholic Archdiocese offices in Newark on May 21, 2004. / Associated Press

The Archdiocese of Newark has removed a top official from its organization amid a scandal involving an ex-Colts Neck priest banned from ministering to children, according to a statement released by church officials.

The top official, Vicar General, Monsignor John E. Doran — second in command in the Archdiocese — has resigned his post at the request of Archbishop John J. Myers and will no longer hold a leadership position, according to the statement on the Archdiocese website.

The announcement about Doran follows the arrest Monday of the Rev. Michael Fugee, who until weeks ago was a priest serving parishioners and young adults at St. Mary’s in Colts Neck. Fugee is charged with contempt of a judicial order.

Fugee, who also recently resigned from the Archdiocese of Newark, flouted a 2003 agreement he reached with the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office that allowed him to return to ministry after being convicted on charges that he fondled a boy, authorities said.

The major stipulation of the agreement was that Fugee be barred from having unsupervised contact with minors or a job that required him to oversee or minister to children under 18.

Rev. Michael Fugee makes his first appearance before Judge Patrick Roma Tuesday, May 21, 2013 in Hackensack, N.J. Fugee is charged with contempt of a judicial order to never work with children. Bail for Fugee remains at $25,000. / Associated Press

Despite that, Fugee became a fixture at a youth group in Colts Neck, which is the Diocese of Trenton, hearing confessions from minors and attending overnight retreats.

“I want you to know just how seriously I take this lapse in our system and that I am committed to doing everything within my abilities to ensure nothing is left to chance, that all appropriate resources and efforts are utilized in protecting our youngest parishioners,” Myers said in the letter.

Stephanie Loder: 732-456-2159; sloder@njpressmedia.com