Fr. Ronald J. Tully

Ordained: 1966
Status: Settled

Died: 11/29/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Paterson NJ

Ordained for the Augustinians. Taught in DC the 1960s. Left Order in 1970. Became a Paterson diocesan priest. Charged in 1979 in NY after two boys, ages 14 and 15, alleged sex abuse by Tully. Charges dismissed in 1980. Both came forward in 2004 after learning he had been assigned to a parish since 1983. They said a church official threatened families in 1979 to keep them quiet. Permanent leave in 2004. A third claim settled in 1/2007. Two more claims settled as of 4/2008. Another in 12/2008. Settlement in 3/2012 for $265K. In 9/2015 the Paterson diocese settled for “six figures” with a woman claiming Tully fondled her over 20 times in 1977 when he was Pope Piux XII High School vice-principal and she was student, age 16. Total of $2.1M in settlements with at least nine alleged Tully victims, abused at ages 8-16. Laicized in 2004. Abuse reported in 2011 to the Archdiocese of Washington DC. Laicized 1/22/2016. On WDC list 10/15/2018. Died 11/29/2018. On the Paterson diocese’s list 2/13/2019.

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