Trial Begins for Survivor Alleging Sexual Assault at Delbarton All-Boys Catholic School in New Jersey
After years of multiple former students reporting sexual abuse at a New Jersey Catholic high school, one case finally goes to trial. It marks the first civil lawsuit against the Catholic Church in the state, as survivors seek accountability and responsibility from the school.
The prestigious Delbarton Catholic college-preparatory school in New Jersey has been in a harsh spotlight as several former students came forward alleging sexual abuse by multiple teachers, priests and Benedictine order monks. One of those survivors has taken his case to trial, which began September 2nd in Morris County Superior Court, making this the first civil suit involving the Catholic Church in New Jersey.
This case is one of dozens that have been filed against the Delbarton School and alleges one of the teachers had taken the plaintiff to his on-campus home, gave him alcohol, then assaulted him. The plaintiff also claims that this ex-professor had held similar “parties” for students on campus as well. The plaintiff, who was 15 years old at the time of the alleged assault, reported the incident after he graduated from the school in 1977, though the alleged perpetrator was not disciplined and police was not notified of the misconduct. According to a video transcript of testimony, the abbot of St. Mary’s Abbey admitted to having destroyed the report of abuse, saying it was “bad for the reputation of a school when there is sexual abuse associated with it.”
In 2018, Delbarton School and Saint Mary’s Abbey acknowledged that more than 30 men had reported being abused over a span of three decades by 13 monks, priests, and a faculty member. That same year, the community was informed that eight civil lawsuits had been settled while seven others remained active. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office was notified of each allegation.
Attorneys representing survivors emphasized that, in each case, the Benedictine monastery avoided admitting liability. Following the initial lawsuits, an additional 30 individuals came forward with similar allegations, filing new claims or joining existing cases. The wave of litigation was further fueled by New Jersey’s Child Victims Act, enacted in 2019, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on civil claims of childhood sexual abuse.
Two monks named in past abuse lawsuits continue to reside at the monastery on Delbarton’s 187-acre campus, near student classrooms and athletic facilities. School officials confirmed their presence but emphasized that both are strictly supervised under Abbey leadership and its Safe Environment policies, which prohibit them from having any contact with students or access to school facilities. One of the survivors called their continued residence on campus “very disturbing,” expressing concern about the possibility of student exposure.
Now, with a trial underway, more survivors may come forward.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse in New Jersey, Delaware, of Pennsylvania, contact our team of attorneys today.
