Although New Jersey dismissed a sexual abuse lawsuit in 2007 against the Diocese of Trenton, the victim is seeking support in a second suit, this time filed in Delaware, as reported by the Asbury Park Press in Little Egg Harbor.
The victim has alleged that the diocesan priest took him across state lines from New Jersey to Delaware, when he was a juvenile, to engage in sexual acts.
Charles Naples, 39, of Bass River, filed the suit in Delaware in April 2009.
Naples alleges that Reverend Terence O. McAlinden sexually abused him while he was a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Trenton. Thomas Crumplar, the victim’s attorney, stated that both the Diocese of Trenton and the St. Theresa Church, which had been originally named, have now been dismissed from the lawsuit.
The suit states that Naples suffered from abuse from 1985 to 1996 – and that he was subjected to a minimum of 200 sexual acts. Though most occurred in New Jersey, several also took place on Delaware beaches.
The Diocese of Trenton employed McAlinden as an active priest from 1967 until 2007.
McAlinden has been present for many occasions in Naples’ life. He introduced Naples to the woman he would later marry and, later, baptized the couple’s children.
McAlinden was removed from ministry in 2007 due to Naples’ allegations – the same year Naples told both the diocese and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office.
There is no current investigations taking place on the matter by the Prosecutor’s office.
The lawsuit contends that the Diocese of Trenton knew of the abuse and did nothing to prevent it. The suit further contends that the diocese allowed McAlinden to take the Cape Mays Lewes Ferry to travel to Christian Youth Organization events.
Although Crumplar expects to take depositions from McAlinden in the next couple of months, requests made to depose McAlinden’s supervisors have been largely ignored.
Rayanne Bennett, the diocese spokeswoman, in rebuttal said, “We recently received a letter from Mr. Naples’ attorney asking for information from Father McAlinden’s file. We will comply with his request in accord with the Delaware rules of court.”
The lawsuit further contends that the diocese is guilty of recklessly employing McAlinden as they “had prior knowledge that he was a child molester.”
The diocese sent the 2007 allegations to the Vatican for their review and to see if warranted disciplinary action.
Bennett stated, “We have received instruction from Rome and expect that a canonical trial will be held in the next few months. We don't know how the new allegations may impact the timeline.”
Since the lawsuit’s filing two other men have come forward alleging McAlinden of sexual abuse.
McAlinden’s career as a priest began at the Diocese of Trenton in 1967 where he served at Our Lady of Victories Parish in Sayreville. While there, McAlinden attended to the youth in the diocesan’s Christian Youth Organization; first as an associate director and then as director.
He held the position from 1971 to 1988. He later was made pastor of St. Parish in 1988.
Naples said, “We want him held accountable, our first motivation is that the church defrock McAlinden.”
The New Jersey case was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. In Delaware, the suit was allowed to proceed because between 2005 and 2007 the state lifted the statute of limitations with the enactment of the 2007 Delaware Child Victim’s Act.
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