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Archdiocese of Newark

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Pregnant Out Of Wedlock: NJ Supreme Court Rules Teacher Can Be Fired Pregnant Out Of Wedlock: NJ Supreme Court Rules Teacher Can Be Fired
Pregnant Out Of Wedlock: NJ Supreme Court Rules Teacher Can Be Fired Nearly a decade after a New Jersey Catholic school fired one of its teachers for getting pregnant out of wedlock, a New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the school was within its rights. The Supreme Court ruled on Monday, Aug. 14 in favor of the Church of St. Theresa in Kenilworth, which fired Victoria Crisitello — a second grade art teacher — in 2014, after she told them she was pregnant out of wedlock. The school said that Crisitello had violated her employment agreement and fired her. The agreement requires teachers to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the discipline, no…

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by Sam Barron
News
Feds Charge Exiled Chinese Tycoon With $1B Fraud That Funded $26.5M Mahwah Mansion, More Feds Charge Exiled Chinese Tycoon With $1B Fraud That Funded $26.5M Mahwah Mansion, More
Feds Charge Exiled Chinese Tycoon With $1B Fraud That Funded $26.5M Mahwah Mansion, More Exiled Chinese tycoon Miles Guo was arrested by the FBI Wednesday on charges of swindling his online followers out of more than $1 billion that the government said he used, in part, to buy a 58-room mansion in Mahwah. Some of the agents were still at Guo’s 15-room penthouse in the Sherry-Netherland Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side the afternoon of March 15, six hours after he’d been arrested there, when a mysterious fire broke out on the 18th floor, responders said. No injuries were reported, but authorities said the blaze significantly damaged Guo’s unit. No one drew any immediate conn…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Cardinal Tobin Imposter Busted On Instagram: Report Cardinal Tobin Imposter Busted On Instagram: Report
Cardinal Tobin Imposter Busted On Instagram: Report If you interacted with Cardinal Joseph Tobin on Instagram, no you didn't. Tobin only has one social media account, and it's Twitter, the Archdiocese of Newark said. An imposter of his was recently busted on Instagram, NJ Advance Media reports. It wasn't clear what type of content the imposter was posting. "Cardinal Tobin only uses a Twitter account, which is monitored daily. The Cardinal’s official, and only, Twitter account is @CardinalJWTobin," the archdiocese said.  "Any other communication allegedly from Cardinal Tobin on any other social media platform, such as a differing T…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Repetitive Pedophile Priest Formerly Of Jersey City Church Dies Repetitive Pedophile Priest Formerly Of Jersey City Church Dies
Repetitive Pedophile Priest Formerly Of Jersey City Church Dies A twice-convicted pedophile priest who'd been an associate pastor at a Jersey City church reportedly has died. The death of the Rev. Carmen Sita -- who changed his name to Gerald Howard after getting probation for his first conviction -- was announced by SNAP, a survivors network that provides support for sex abuse victims. Sita had been at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church on West Side Avenue for six years when he was arrested in 1982 on charges of repeatedly sexually abusing a 17-year-old boy and giving him pot. After pleading guilty the following year, Sita was sentenced to five months…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Vatican City, NJ Priests Using Hookup Apps Alarms Catholic Church Officials, Reports Say Vatican City, NJ Priests Using Hookup Apps Alarms Catholic Church Officials, Reports Say
Vatican City, NJ Priests Using Hookup Apps Alarms Catholic Church Officials, Reports Say A conservative Catholic media organization has published a series of reports claiming that priests at New Jersey churches and the Vatican have been using hookup apps. "The Pillar" collected and reviewed commercially available app signal indicating patterns on location-based hookup apps at more than 10 rectories within the Archdiocese of Newark between 2018 and 2020, the blog reported July 23. The data apparently shows evidence that "both homosexual and heterosexual hookup apps were used in parish rectories or other clerical residences with a frequency suggesting, in several cases, residence…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
NJ Catholic Diocese Sells Sprawling Luxury Home Of Former Archbishop For Less Than $1M (PHOTOS) NJ Catholic Diocese Sells Sprawling Luxury Home Of Former Archbishop For Less Than $1M (PHOTOS)
NJ Catholic Diocese Sells Sprawling Luxury Home Of Former Archbishop For Less Than $1M (Photos) The controversial retirement home formerly occupied by Newark Archbishop John J. Myers sold for $910,000, church officials announced. The 7,300-square-foot home at 51 Lower Kingtown Road in Pittstown (Hunterdon County) sits on more than eight acres of land and features many luxury amenities, according to the real estate listing (click here for photos). Those include two elevators, a heated outdoor pool, an indoor exercise pool, four fireplaces, a central vacuum and more. The home has five bedrooms, five bathrooms and a three-car garage, with two distinct living areas that share a…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Catholic NJ High School Pair In Profane, Racist Video Draw Wrath, Shake Community Catholic NJ High School Pair In Profane, Racist Video Draw Wrath, Shake Community
Catholic NJ High School Pair In Profane, Racist Video Draw Wrath, Shake Community Two seniors at a respected Catholic Bergen County high school used a racial epithet and then cursed “Black Lives Matter” while downing shots in an offensive viral video that has brought widespread wrath on a shaken community. "Don't be snowflakes," one student from the all-girls Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township says, before the other utters a racial epithet during a 25-second clip recorded at a Valentine’s Day party in earshot of other underage teens. Laughter is heard, after which the second girl leans into the camera leans and repeats the epithet, then says "Black Lives Mat…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Former NJ Catholic School Chaplain Charged With Endangering Welfare Of Students Former NJ Catholic School Chaplain Charged With Endangering Welfare Of Students
Former NJ Catholic School Chaplain Charged With Endangering Welfare Of Students A priest and former chaplain of a North Jersey Catholic school was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of six students, authorities announced Thursday. Salvatore DiStefano, 61, who most recently resided at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church New Providence, is charged with engaging in a pattern of behavior that threatened the welfare of six Oratory Preparatory School students, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said. DiStefano -- known to students as "Father Sal" -- was placed on leave last January pending an investigation.  He is the fourth …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
'Where's The Compassion?' NJ Boy With Autism Kicked Out Of Church During Sister's Baptism 'Where's The Compassion?' NJ Boy With Autism Kicked Out Of Church During Sister's Baptism
'Where's The Compassion?' NJ Boy With Autism Kicked Out Of Church During Sister's Baptism A Union County mom says her son who has autism was kicked out of church by the priest during her daughter's baptism. Nicky, 7, was playing with a ball during his sister Sofia's baptism at Christ the King Church Saturday in Hillside, Julia Vicidomini said on Facebook. The service was private, for family only, which Vicidomini said made her feel more comfortable as Nicky -- who is non-verbal -- doesn't do well during long mass services. "Yes, he was playing with a toy where he should not have been, however, the way the priest kicked him out of the church was completely rude and disrespectful…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Defrocked Cardinal McCarrick Accused Of Leading Sex Ring At Jersey Shore Beach House Defrocked Cardinal McCarrick Accused Of Leading Sex Ring At Jersey Shore Beach House
Defrocked Cardinal McCarrick Accused Of Leading Sex Ring At Jersey Shore Beach House The 90-year-old defrocked former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick stands accused of running a sex ring out of his Jersey Shore beach house in Sea Girt. One victim claims in a lawsuit that he was molested by McCarrick and three other priests during overnight stays at the then-Bishop's home in Monmouth County, the New York Post reports. Last year, Pope Francis defrocked McCarrick after a church investigation found he sexually abused minors and adult seminarians.  The suit was filed Tuesday night in New Jersey Superior Court in Middlesex County against the Diocese of Metuchen, the Archdi…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
LAWSUIT: Monks, Former Delbarton Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Five Students LAWSUIT: Monks, Former Delbarton Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Five Students
Lawsuit: Monks, Former Delbarton Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Five Students St. Mary's Abbey and the order that runs the Delbarton School in Morris Township are facing six lawsuits saying monks sexually abused students, reports say. The suits, filed Tuesday, mark the first of more than 20 complaints that will be submitted by legal representatives, Daily Record reports. Five monks of the Order of St. Benedict of New Jersey were named in the complaints, as well as a former lay teacher at Delbarton, the report says. Four of the five clerics and the former teacher have previously been named in suits that were later settled by the order. A total of 10 lawsuits alleging…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Cliffside Park Pastor Resigns Amid Pre-2000 Abuse Allegations Cliffside Park Pastor Resigns Amid Pre-2000 Abuse Allegations
Cliffside Park Pastor Resigns Amid Pre-2000 Abuse Allegations The pastor of Cliffside Park’s Church of the Epiphany has resigned amid allegations that he abused a minor before he was ordained. The Rev. Bruce Harger, 66, “has not been convicted of any civil or canonical crime” and has denied any wrongdoing, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Newark said. He decided “after thorough and careful consideration” to step down until the matter is resolved, however, “out of concern for the people of the parish and for the benefit of the church,” the spokeswoman, Maria Margiotta, said in a statement. "The alleged abuse occurred before Fr. Harger was associa…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Schools
BREAKING: Newark Archdiocese Permanently Closing 10 Schools In Three Counties BREAKING: Newark Archdiocese Permanently Closing 10 Schools In Three Counties
Breaking: Newark Archdiocese Permanently Closing 10 Schools In Three Counties The Archdiocese of Newark said Thursday that it is closing a number of its schools in Bergen, Essex and Union counties -- and consolidating them into others -- at the end of the current school year. Factors considered in the closings included "declining enrollment numbers and increasing and unsustainable dependence on archdiocesan funding over time," the archdiocese said. "Consideration also was given to geographic locations and proximity to nearby matched archdiocesan schools that will accommodate new students." The schools being closed are: Academy of St. Therese of Lisieux, Cresskill …

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Kearny Man With Love Of Birthdays Dies Of Coronavirus On His 30th, Days After Mom Kearny Man With Love Of Birthdays Dies Of Coronavirus On His 30th, Days After Mom
Kearny Man With Love Of Birthdays Dies Of Coronavirus On His 30th, Days After Mom A Kearny man with a love of birthdays died of coronavirus on his 30th -- nine days after the virus took his mom. Thomas Martins, who had Down syndrome, died of the virus on April 6. His mom, Carolyn Martins-Reitz -- a graphic designer for the Archdiocese of Newark -- passed away March 28 at Clara Maas Medical Center. Surviving them are Reitz' husband and Martins step-dad Rudy Reitz, who mourns alone with his daughter -- Martins' half-sister -- Sharon Reitz. Carolyn and Thomas, born in Belleville, were "each other's whole word," Rudy told BuzzFeed News. The doting mom made sure her son was…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Luxury Watch, Jewelry Exec From Bergen Is Newark Archdiocese's First Chief Operating Officer Luxury Watch, Jewelry Exec From Bergen Is Newark Archdiocese's First Chief Operating Officer
Luxury Watch, Jewelry Exec From Bergen Is Newark Archdiocese's First Chief Operating Officer He’s been photographed with supermodels and movie stars, but in the coming days, Bergen County’s Larry Boland – a former top executive with Tourneau and Piaget North America – will be seen more with archbishops, priests and even a cardinal. Boland, of Rutherford, began work Wednesday as the the Archdiocese of Newark's very first chief operating officer, reporting directly to Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin. “This new post is a key part of our ongoing efforts to re-organize the Chancery to deliver improved service in the mission of the church while achieving greater operating efficiency,” said Tobi…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
UPDATE: Morris Catholic Teacher Sent Sex Toy, Secretly Met With Student At Hotel, Report Says UPDATE: Morris Catholic Teacher Sent Sex Toy, Secretly Met With Student At Hotel, Report Says
Update: Morris Catholic Teacher Sent Sex Toy, Secretly Met With Student At Hotel, Report Says A former Morris Catholic High School teacher and volleyball coach accused of sexually assaulting two juvenile students performed sex acts in a classroom with one and took the other to a nearby hotel, court papers say. Carlos A. Franco-Leon, 42, of Rockaway Township, assaulted the girls between 2015 and 2019 -- even after his 2018 suspension, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said in a joint release with other members of law enforcement over the weekend. Franco-Leon arranged to meet one girl at a local hotel and used a school classroom to engage in sexual acts with the other -- altho…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
UPDATE: Morris Catholic Teacher Sent Sex Toy, Secretly Met With Student At Hotel, Report Says UPDATE: Morris Catholic Teacher Sent Sex Toy, Secretly Met With Student At Hotel, Report Says
Update: Morris Catholic Teacher Sent Sex Toy, Secretly Met With Student At Hotel, Report Says A former Morris Catholic High School teacher and volleyball coach accused of sexually assaulting two juvenile students performed sex acts in a classroom with one and took the other to a nearby hotel, court papers say. Carlos A. Franco-Leon, 42, of Rockaway Township, assaulted the girls between 2015 and 2019 -- even after his 2018 suspension, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said in a joint release with other members of law enforcement over the weekend. Franco-Leon arranged to meet one girl at a local hotel and used a school classroom to engage in sexual acts with the other -- altho…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
New Lawsuits Against Newark Archdiocese Accuse Former Rutherford Priest Of Sex Assault New Lawsuits Against Newark Archdiocese Accuse Former Rutherford Priest Of Sex Assault
New Lawsuits Against Newark Archdiocese Accuse Former Rutherford Priest Of Sex Assault A pair of lawsuits filed under new state law have been filed against the Archdiocese of Newark by men saying they were sexually abused nearly four decades ago by a late Catholic priest. The men accuse the church of failing to protect them from the Rev. David Ernst, who was assigned to Saint Mary's in Rutherford and taught at Our Lady Help of Christians parochial school in East Orange. Jeff Anderson & Associates, the firm representing the two alleged victims, held a press conference Wednesday. Click here to watch. The suits were filed by Stephen Tyminski, now a 66-year-old Orthodox…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Priest Who Taught At St. Peter's In JC Accused Of Abuse In Westfield: Report Priest Who Taught At St. Peter's In JC Accused Of Abuse In Westfield: Report
Priest Who Taught At St. Peter's In JC Accused Of Abuse In Westfield: Report  A priest who died decades ago has been accused of sexually abusing a boy while serving in a Westfield parish, TAPintoWestfield reported.  A lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Newark filed Sunday claims the Rev. John Flanagan abused the boy -- who is now 75 and living in Canada -- over the course of a decade while serving at Holy Trinity church in the 1950s and '60s. The church is also a defendant in the suit.  The lawsuit was filed following passage of a state law creating a two-year window during which plaintiffs can sue regardless of when the abuse is alleged to have taken…

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by Paul Milo
News
Bishop Investigating Sex Abuse Accused Of Molesting Altar Boy In Jersey City Bishop Investigating Sex Abuse Accused Of Molesting Altar Boy In Jersey City
Bishop Investigating Sex Abuse Accused Of Molesting Altar Boy In Jersey City The bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Brooklyn has been accused of molesting an altar boy while he served as a priest in Jersey City four decades ago.  Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio released a statement Wednesday in response to the allegation, first reported by the Associated Press, that he assaulted the boy while serving as a priest at St. Nicholas Church in the 1970s. In his statement, he flatly denied the charge and vowed to contest it.  "I am just learning about this allegation," he said he told the Associated Press. "In my nearly 50-year ministry as a priest, I have never en…

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by Paul Milo
Police & Fire
Virgin Mary Statue At Jersey City Church Smeared With Dog Feces Virgin Mary Statue At Jersey City Church Smeared With Dog Feces
Virgin Mary Statue At Jersey City Church Smeared With Dog Feces A religious statue outside a Roman Catholic church in Jersey City was vandalized, according to published reports and the Archdiocese of Newark.  The vandalism of the statue of the Virgin Mary outside St. Michael Church on 9th Street was discovered by a parishioner Friday. The statue's face had been smeared with dog droppings. A cigarette had also been stubbed out on the statue.  “It’s heart wrenching to contemplate the anguish and pain that an individual must be experiencing to commit such an act. Our prayers go out to the parish members and staff of St. Michael’s Church and to al…

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by Paul Milo
Schools
St. Mary High In Elizabeth Closing Down After Fundraising Falls Short St. Mary High In Elizabeth Closing Down After Fundraising Falls Short
St. Mary High In Elizabeth Closing Down After Fundraising Falls Short Alumni and students of the nearly 90-year-old school tried to save it, but it's now official: St. Mary of the Assumption High School in Elizabeth is closing its doors for good.  In June, the Archdiocese of Newark announced that the school was facing a shortfall of $2 million and would be forced to shut down. Other Catholic schools in recent years have also faced closure but managed to keep their doors open thanks to vigorous fundraising efforts.  St. Mary alumni, students and friends of the school tried that approach, launching a GoFundMe campaign for the school, whose small stude…

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by Paul Milo
News
Dozens Of Morris County Priests Accused Of Sexual Abuse, NJ Diocese Reveals Dozens Of Morris County Priests Accused Of Sexual Abuse, NJ Diocese Reveals
Dozens Of Morris County Priests Accused Of Sexual Abuse, NJ Diocese Reveals The Catholic Church in New Jersey on Wednesday released a list of allegedly abusive priests. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, the archbishop of Newark, in November announced there would be a "complete review" of abuse allegations and establishment of a victim compensation fund and counseling program. The list follows a two-year investigation that found more than 1,000 victims spanning 70 years -- along with evidence of a coverup by some church leaders (click here for the list of accused priests with Bergen County ties). Here are the accused priests with Morris County ties: Absalom Coutinho  …

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by Cecilia Levine