N.J. Priest Accused of Sex Abuse

By Emily Babay
Philly.Com
August 22, 2014

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/NJ_priest_accused_of_sex_abuse.html

Authorities are investigating allegations that a New Jersey priest sexually abused a 16-year-old boy.

The Diocese of Trenton says it learned about the alleged abuse by Father Romannilo "Nilo" Apura, a pastor at St. Martha Parish in Point Pleasant, this week.

Apura, 67, was taken into custody on Thursday, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said.

Prosecutors say he is accused of having sexual contact with the boy in late spring or early summer at a Trenton home. In a separate incident in June, he tried to remove the boy's pants, prosecutors said.

Apura is facing charges of second-degree endangering the welfare of child, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact and fourth-degree attempt to commit criminal sexual contact.

The diocese said no other complaints have been reported against the priest, who previously served at the parishes of St. Joachim in Trenton, St. Agnes in Atlantic Highlands, St. Maximilian Kolbe in Toms River, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorestown, St. Ann in Keansburg, and St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton.

Bishop David O'Connell has suspended Apura immediately, pending the outcome of the investigations. He is no longer permitted to celebrate Mass, wear priestly garb or present himself as a priest.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the prosecutor's office at 609-989-6568 or the Diocese of Trenton abuse hotline at 1-888-296-2965.