Paterson Priest Charged on Sex Crimes; SNAP Responds

SNAP
February 21, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/nj_paterson_priest_charged_on_sex_crimes_snap_responds

A retired New Jersey priest has been charged with criminal sexual contact.

[northjersey.com]

Fr. Philip Briganti allegedly assaulted a man after a wedding.

We hope, although are doubtful, that this was an isolated incidence. We doubt that's true. In 2005, according to the Observer-Tribune, Fr. Briganti suddenly left his Mendham, NJ parish after someone apparently tried to extort money from him for photos he sent over the internet, according to Mendham police Lt. John Taylor.

[bishop-accountability.org]

Paterson Catholic officials claim they immediately called prosecutors when they learned about the recent charge. We hope that's true.

And we hope that Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli will use his vast resources to reach out to anyone else who might have been hurt by Fr. Briganti during his tenure in Paterson. We encourage anyone who saw, suspects or suffered abuse to report to law enforcement.