NJ priests removed for sex abuse can be buried in vestments, Newark Archdiocese says

By Jeff Goldman
Star-Ledger
March 17, 2014

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/03/priests_removed_from_newark_archdiocese_for_sexual_abuse_can_be_buried_in_mass_vestments.html

Attorney Jeff Anderson who represents Andrew Ward, announced a settlement in an abuse case in Diocese of Peoria when Newark Archbishop John Myers was bishop, press conference in Newark across the street from the Basilica on Tuesday August, 13, 2013. To his left is Joanne Ward and his right is Dave Ward, parents of his client Andrew Ward. He is holding a picture of Newark Archbishop John Myers. Ed

Clergyman removed from churches in the Newark Archdiocese following credible sexual abuse charges can be buried in their ceremonial robes, according to a report on NorthJersey.com.

The policy, approved by Archbishop John J. Myers and the Presbyteral Council in November, also mandates that obituaries not include the time, date or location of the funeral, the report said. The funeral also isn't allowed to take place in a church where the priest worked or lived.

The archdiocese's goal is to keep the funerals out of the spotlight and avoid giving "more pain back to the community than they've already been through," spokesman Jim Goodness told the website. A letter to priests at the Newark Archdiocese's 961 churches also indicated the policy was implemented to protect the priests' families and avoid negative media coverage, according to the report

Victims rights groups assert that credibly accused religious figures should not have the status of a priest when they're laid to rest. One group, Road to Recovery Inc, is upset that priests removed from their posts can be buried in Mass vestments and that other priests are encouraged to attend, the report said.

The Archdiocese of Paterson told NorthJersey.com it doesn't have a policy about funerals for pedophile priests.