In a pivotal decision by New Jersey’s Supreme Court, a grand jury will now be empowered to investigate allegations of child sexual abuse involving clergy, marking a significant development in the state’s pursuit of justice. The ruling follows the Catholic Diocese of Camden’s unexpected reversal of its prolonged objection to such proceedings.
The Diocese initially resisted the state’s initiative, asserting a legal provision that they believed barred the attorney general from convening a grand jury to issue findings on the longstanding allegations against church officials. However, after extensive discussions initiated by Camden Bishop Joseph Williams, who assumed leadership in March, the Diocese decided to cease its efforts to block the investigation. Williams expressed that, upon consulting with various stakeholders, there was collective agreement to allow the grand jury to proceed.
The unanimous decision by the seven-member Supreme Court confirms the legitimacy of such an inquiry. The justices penned a unified opinion, emphasizing that courts cannot anticipate the outcomes of investigations nor the content of future reports. The court declared, “We find that the State has the right to proceed with its investigation and present evidence before a special grand jury.”
This ruling was lauded by the state’s attorney general’s office, which reaffirmed its dedication to supporting survivors of sexual abuse. In a statement, First Assistant Attorney General Lyndsay V. Ruotolo expressed gratitude for the high court’s decision, emphasizing there was never a valid reason to halt the grand jury’s examination of statewide clergy abuse.
Despite this legal shift, the Diocese of Camden has pledged to continue cooperating with the efforts to seek justice. In their response, the diocesan representatives stated their continued support and remorse directed towards victims and those affected by the abuse, underlining their commitment to doing what is right “now and always.” However, some opposition remains, notably from the Catholic League, which maintained its resistance to the grand jury even after the Diocese changed its stance.
The origins of the investigation trace back to a revealing 2018 report by a Pennsylvania grand jury, exposing the abuse of over 1,000 children since the 1940s, triggering New Jersey’s attorney general to launch a similar probe. Due to legal battles and confidential proceedings involving the Camden Diocese, New Jersey’s findings never reached the public eye until now.
In early 2023, details emerged via the Bergen Record, showing that the Diocese had previously attempted to block the grand jury’s formation, with initial support from a lower court which aligned with the Diocese’s interpretation of a court rule concerning proceedings involving private individuals. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling has overturned these earlier judgments, allowing the investigation to move forward.
During court deliberations, the justices questioned the preemptive nature of the challenges posed by the church. The New Jersey courts had stopped short of seating a grand jury due to this legal contention. Lloyd Levenson, representing the Diocese, argued that the pursuit had an ulterior motive to denounce the Catholic Church, yet the court clarified that it was not addressing underlying issues at this time. The findings, once produced by the grand jury, could still be subject to judicial review before being released publicly.
Mark Crawford, representing the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, expressing his relief and anticipation for revealing decades of abuse crimes against children.
Earlier rulings in favor of the Diocese cited a lack of jurisdiction for a grand jury focused on “private conduct.” However, a memorandum of understanding between New Jersey Catholic dioceses and prosecutors established two decades ago was cited as sufficient for reporting abuse. Still, the Pennsylvania report pushed for changes, including revisions to New Jersey’s statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims in 2019. Under the revamped law, victims can now file suits until age 55 or within seven years of recognizing the harm caused by past abuse, significantly extending the previous limitations.
As part of broader transparency, all five New Jersey Catholic dioceses named over 180 priests credibly accused of abusing minors, acknowledging decades of misconduct. This step coincided with legal adjustments and the Diocese of Camden’s financial settlement dealing with multiple filed lawsuits following these revelations.
In 2022, faced with upwards of 55 lawsuits and significant financial pressure, the Diocese declared bankruptcy, ultimately agreeing to an $87.5 million settlement to resolve claims involving about 300 accusers. This settlement stands among the largest financial resolutions in the U.S. related to clergy sex abuse, surpassing notable settlements in Boston and nearing figures seen in similar cases in California and Oregon.