• Decades of sexual abuse at Delbarton School could be exposed in a new New Jersey grand jury investigation.
• Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, a former school leader, is under scrutiny while being considered for cardinal.
• Survivors and advocacy groups demand accountability, alleging cover-ups and silencing of victims.

The shadow of decades-long sexual abuse at one of New Jersey’s most prestigious Catholic schools may finally be brought to light. All eyes are on a former top church leader who could soon ascend to one of the highest positions in the state’s Catholic hierarchy.

Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, tipped as a potential successor to Newark Cardinal Joseph Tobin, spent thirty years teaching and leading at Delbarton School, an exclusive all-boys institution in Morristown. During his tenure, at least 30 former students have come forward alleging sexual abuse by clergy members, according to the Survivors Network of those Abused By Priests (SNAP). Some accounts paint a chilling picture of repeated, brutal assaults by Benedictine monks over years.

Now, following a significant ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court in June, a statewide grand jury investigation into clerical abuse can proceed. Sources close to the probe suggest that Delbarton, long suspected of covering up misconduct, will likely come under scrutiny.

For years, the Camden Diocese fought to block the investigation. Legal battles stretched for seven long years. The battle finally ended in May when the Diocese dropped its objections. This cleared the way for prosecutors to pursue the case.

“From what I know, it would make sense for them to include Delbarton in the investigation,” said New Jersey State Senator Joe Vitale. “You would certainly want to know how leadership played a role in all of that. Everyone who had authority at Delbarton during the period when abuse occurred should be part of the conversation.”

A similar inquiry in Pennsylvania in 2018 uncovered staggering numbers: more than 1,000 children were victims of clergy abuse. The investigation remains one of the most comprehensive examinations of Catholic abuse in any U.S. state. It highlighted how far-reaching these cases can be.

A Prestigious School with a Dark Past

Delbarton has long been known for its academic excellence and high-profile alumni. The $48,725-per-year school boasts graduates like “Game of Thrones” actor Peter Dinklage, Yankees star Anthony Volpe, and the sons of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Its reputation for molding leaders and performers stands in sharp contrast to the dark allegations of sexual abuse that have dogged the institution for more than a decade.

The school first came under national attention in the early 2000s, but stories of abuse continued to emerge. In 2021, a former student filed a lawsuit claiming he was raped and assaulted more than 150 times by three monks while in seventh grade in the 1970s. Other survivors have shared similar experiences. They allege that the school systematically silenced those who tried to speak out.

Lorenzo’s roles at Delbarton

Lorenzo’s roles at Delbarton were extensive. He served as Prior at St. Mary’s Abbey — effectively second-in-command of the Benedictine order overseeing the school — from 1995 to 2002. He later became rector of the Abbey Church and sat on an abuse review board until 2008. During this period, he continued to teach at Delbarton. A school spokesperson told The Post that Lorenzo “never took part in decision-making on the review board” but declined to answer additional questions about his activities during that period.

In 2018, Delbarton publicly acknowledged that 30 victims had accused 13 clergy members of abuse. Yet survivors argue that the school’s efforts to manage the scandal often prioritized protecting its reputation over addressing victims’ suffering.

Tom Crane, who settled his lawsuit in 2018, described the aftermath of speaking out as a “nightmare of intimidation.” He claimed that two monks sexually abused him and his brother in the 1970s. The school subjected them to relentless pressure and threats after they spoke out.

Attorney Gregory Gianforcaro, representing 31 current plaintiffs and nearly 50 total victims against Delbarton, predicts the grand jury investigation will bring even more troubling details to light. “I am confident that once the results of this investigation are public, there’s going to be a lot of information that will surface about the survivors,” he said.

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office declined to comment on the investigation, and the Archdiocese of Newark confirmed that authorities have not contacted them yet.

Lorenzo’s Rise Amid Controversy

Despite the cloud of allegations surrounding his time at Delbarton, Lorenzo’s career in the Church continued to advance. In 2020, Pope Francis appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Newark. This role puts him among a small group of clerics likely to succeed Cardinal Tobin when the current leader reaches the mandatory retirement age in 2027. Church insiders say Lorenzo is one of four bishops considered potential candidates for the prestigious cardinal role.

The Archdiocese’s office emphasized that choosing a cardinal is a “complex, confidential, and lengthy” process. They declined to comment specifically on Lorenzo. However, the mere association of his name with a potential promotion has sparked outrage among survivors and advocacy groups.

SNAP has called for Lorenzo’s removal from consideration, claiming he was complicit in covering up abuse at Delbarton. “Bishop Lorenzo’s rise cannot erase the pain experienced by Delbarton survivors,” said Mark Crawford, SNAP’s New Jersey coordinator. It is unacceptable that someone who held authority while so many students suffered abuse should now be up for promotion. Our members demand transparency and accountability. Children fell victim to wolves in sheep’s clothing under Lorenzo’s watch.

Public Outrage and Growing Calls for Justice

The public reaction has been intense. Parents of current and former Delbarton students, alumni, and survivors have voiced anger on social media. They are calling for a thorough investigation and accountability from Church leadership. Many express disbelief that someone connected to decades of alleged abuse could be considered for a cardinalship. Meanwhile, others argue that the Church must confront its past before it can move forward.

For decades, Delbarton presented an image of perfection: elite academics, prestigious athletics, and a close-knit community grounded in faith. Yet the emerging allegations reveal a much darker reality lurking beneath the surface. There is a pattern of abuse and silence that has left lasting scars on survivors and their families.

What Comes Next

As the grand jury prepares to examine clergy abuse across New Jersey, attention will inevitably focus on Delbarton. The roles of those who led the school during the critical years will be examined closely. Experts say the investigation could prompt additional lawsuits, public testimony, and new revelations about institutional cover-ups.

Survivors, advocates, and the public alike will be watching closely — waiting to see whether justice can finally prevail in a story that has haunted New Jersey for generations.