The actions of the Trenton Diocese with regard to clergy sexual abuse are not in accord with the recent statements of Pope Francis, Road to Recovery (June 02, 2014)

The actions of the Trenton Diocese with regard to clergy sexual abuse are not in accord with the recent statements of Pope Francis

Road to Recovery
June 02, 2014

http://www.road-to-recovery.org/

Trenton, NJ, diocesan lawyer inaccurately claims predator priest was “off-duty” when he sexually abused an innocent boy in many locations in New Jersey, several other states, and a foreign territory

The Catholic Church is getting more irresponsible in its treatment of clergy sexual abuse allegations

What: A press conference and demonstration calling for Bishop David O’Connell of Trenton, NJ to do the right thing and treat clergy sexual abuse victims with the respect they deserve or resign effective immediately.

When: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 11:00 AM

Where: On the sidewalk outside the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, 701 Lawrenceville Road, Trenton, NJ 08648 – 609-406-7400

Who: Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., advocate for clergy sexual abuse victims Chris Naples, Pat Newcombe, and Bob Markulic, all of whom were sexually abused by Fr. Terence Mc Alinden of the Trenton Diocese; other clergy sexual abuse survivors, and supporters.

Why: The Trenton Diocese appears not to be complying with recent statements made by Pope Francis regarding clergy sexual abuse. Fr. Terence Mc Alinden is a serial pedophile and the Trenton Diocese has paid out settlement monies to at least two of his victims. Chris Naples of New Gretna, NJ, a courageous Mc Alinden survivor, told a Delaware court about Mc Alinden’s sexual abuse of him in that State. Lawyers for the Trenton Diocese told the court that Fr. Terence Mc Alinden was “off-duty” while he sexually molested Chris Naples in the State of Delaware. How outrageous, demeaning, and arrogant can the Church get? Evidently, more than we know. Road to Recovery and its supporters will call on Bishop David O’Connell of the Trenton, NJ, Diocese to do the right thing and abandon efforts to claim that priests are not “on-duty” when they sexually abuse children, despite the fact that priests encounter innocent children primarily in their role as priests. It is absurd that the Trenton Diocese has gone to the depths of “defense” to re-victimize Chris Naples. Bishop O’Connell should reverse the Trenton diocesan position or resign effective immediately.

Contacts: Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D. – Road to Recovery, Inc., - 862-368-2800 Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617-523-6250

[The Star-Ledger]