Diocese of Paterson NJ named in another clergy sex abuse lawsuit

Plaintiff "S.R." files complaint with Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Passaic County, naming Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson NJ and two priests who allegedly sexually abused a minor.

Paterson NJ (PRWEB) July 27, 2004 -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson has been served with yet another lawsuit alleging clergy sex abuse of a minor.

The plaintiff, a former resident of Passaic, who now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was allegedly abused and repeatedly molested by two priests beginning at age 10.

The complaint names the Diocese of Paterson, Father Joseph W. Molloy, Father Francis X. Dennehy, the estates of the two priests, Bishop James A. McNulty and his estate, St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, St. Nicholas Roman Catholic School, ABC Entity, and Richard Roe(s), et al.

In the 23-count complaint,S.R. v. Diocese of Paterson, et al (Docket No. PAS-L-002862-04) Plaintiff S.R. alleges being sexually molested by Molloy and Dennehy in the period between 1958 and 1961 while S.R. was a parishioner at St. Nicholas Church and a student at St. Nicholas School.

The allegations were brought to the attention of now retired Bishop Frank J. Rodimer in 2002 as well as to the Passaic County Prosecutors Office.

Plaintiff S.R. had a meeting in August 2002 with Bishop Rodimer, Monsignor Herbert K. Tillyer, Vicar General, Monsignor John E. Hart, Chancellor, and Diocesan legal counsel, Kenneth F. Mullaney, Jr. At that meeting, Plaintiff S.R. asked for assistance with counseling, therapy, and rehabilitation.

In June 2003, Plaintiff S.R. received an e-mail from Mullaney saying "As I've said over and over, it really is and has always been about the
MONEY. Sad isn't it."

Mullaney is an outspoken critic of clergy abuse victims. ""How did they all come to recover their memories two years ago?" There must have been something in the water that they were all drinking at the same time."

According to the Paterson Diocese, Rev. Joseph W. Molloy left the priesthood and "contracted marriage" raising six children inlcuding an adopted baby from Romania. Molloy worked as a child abuse investigator for the State of Florida. Molloy died in June 2000.

The other accused priest, Francis X. Dennehy, spent a year as a naval military chaplain and was reportedly released by the military. Dennehy was accepted as a priest in the Paterson Diocese where he served for more than thirty-five years. His parish assignments included St. Nicholas in Passaic, Assumption in Morristown, St. Therese in Paterson, St. Vincent DePaul in Stirling, St. Pius X in Montvale, and St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson. Dennehy died in August 1995.

According to information published on a northern NJ Catholic parish website by its pastor, a story of sexual abuse appears that details a man who, in his sixties, told the pastor he was abused. He also went on to name eight others that were victims of clergy sex abuse. The pastor also reported that he had been abused by the same priest. The story does not list Dennehy by name. However, the information presented parallels Dennehy's church career and assignments.

Gregory G. Gianforcaro, Esq., is representing plaintiff S.R. The complaint seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages.

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