Church reinstates former St. Rose pastor after rejecting sexual abuse charges
The Vatican has closed the case on Monsignor William McCarthy, the long-time priest of St. Rose of Lima Church on Ridgedale Avenue, by completely exonerating him and reinstating him in the church as a functioning retired priest after rejecting allegations he had sexually abused two girls in the 1980s.
McCarthy said he received his reinstatement from Bishop Arthur Serratelli, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson, on Friday.
In a statement, Serratelli said, “Six years ago, allegations were made against Monsignor William McCarthy. A Church Tribunal, composed of canon lawyers from outside the diocese, concluded that it was not proven that he was guilty of the charge alleged against him. The Holy See has determined that the case is closed. Monsignor McCarthy is a priest in good standing and is free to exercise his priestly ministry as a retired priest. During this very difficult time in his life, Monsignor McCarthy has been totally cooperative, faithful to his priesthood, and shown a great love for the church.”
McCarthy said the past six years have been hard. “This has been a very difficult time,” McCarthy said from his home in Sayreville. “It was painful being caught up in the pedophile scandal, which was a terrible thing, and it was all untrue. When Pope Benedict XVI came to America he said, ‘I am ashamed of what some priests in America had done,’ my heart broke for him.”
In a statement, Monsignor McCarthy said he was unjustly accused of the abuse of two sisters around 5 or 6 years of age in 1980.
“I have never been accused of any other improper conduct throughout my unblemished 40 year career of service as a priest. Father John Foley, head of the Paulist Fathers in New York, represented me. He never doubted my innocence.”
“My ordeal began shortly after I retired as pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church,” he continued. “An anonymous letter alleging misconduct by me was received by the Paterson Diocese and was forwarded to the Morris County Prosecutor.”
“Although anonymous allegations proved baseless, an overzealous prosecutor’s office pursued the case without regard for my reputation.”
“The girls did not attend St. Rose of Lima School,” he continued.
“The girls’ mother wanted to enroll them in the school. They could not be accepted because the school already was overcrowded. The mother was upset and I visited her at home to explain why the children could not be accepted.”
“I do not recall seeing the children during the visit. Moreover, the mother has denied that any inappropriate touching ever took place either at that meeting or thereafter.”
“My case raises the same specter as in the Duke lacrosse scandal, where the reputations and lives of the falsely accused are tragically damaged by unsubstantiated allegations,” he continued.
On April 28, the Vatican notified the Paterson Diocese that McCarthy was innocent and returned the documentation to Bishop Serratelli.
Monsignor McCarthy said he looks forward to returning to St. Rose of Lima Church to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his ordination.
This article written by James Lent, Editor of the Hanover Eagle and Regional Weekly News, on May 1, 2008. Since this event happened more than a year ago, it is no longer available on their website.
e year 2003 and did not end until 2008. “Those who do not remember the past are destined to repeat it.” This book is an attempt to stop the insanity in the Church from ever happening again, by remembering and recalling the past…my past, when I was treated no different than an incorrigible child molester, although in fact I was totally innocent.