Vitale Welcomes AG’s Decision To Investigate Clergy Sex Abuse

Trenton – Senator Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) issued the following statement today praising the decision by New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal to form a task force and a grand jury to investigate potential sex abuse by members of the Catholic clergy in New Jersey and any attempts to cover up past abuses. Senator Vitale last week called on the state’s top law enforcement official to act following the release of grand jury report in Pennsylvania cataloging widespread abuses by priests and the removal of two top church officials in New Jersey following accusations of misconduct.

“In light of the extremely disturbing reports of widespread clergy abuse in Pennsylvania and the frequent disclosure of abuse elsewhere, the attorney general is taking the right action. There is already evidence that priests in New Jersey were involved in the abuses in Pennsylvania and the removal of the two prominent church leaders give more reason to conduct a thorough investigation.

“Any case of sexual abuse and any attempt to cover up these crimes that have occurred in New Jersey must be investigated and, whenever possible, prosecuted. The victims have often been vulnerable children, the abusers have been men vested with religious authority and those who have acted to shield them have been church officials who have betrayed their moral responsibilities.

“No individual and no institution should be immune from accountability or from justice and no abuser should be allowed to have any access to children. Victims of abuse have suffered the consequences for their entire lives. They deserve a full accounting and to have their abusers punished. These are heinous crimes that can no longer be ignored or excused.  Today’s action will help to prevent abuses from happening and to bring justice for past victims.”

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