Diocese: Diocese of Trenton
Notes:
Complaints about him to Bishop in 2011 about explicit sexting, emails and verbal conversations w/ students in seminary. Bishop sent him to counseling and lectured him. Two men set up Internet sting in 2012 and the priest exchanged over 1200 explicit text messages and emails with what he thought was 16 yr old boy. The men (supported by 3 others) gave transcripts of the exchanges to Bishop in 2012. Removed; sent for in-patient treatment. No publicity until 2013. Privileges permanently removed 10/13.
Sources:
Bishop O’Connell letter to Original Complainant 08.07.12; Diocese of Trenton Statement revised 09.23.13; Asbury Park Press 09.29.13; Star-Ledger 09.29.13; United Press International 09.29.13; Waiting for Godot to Leave 09.29.13; AZCentral 09.30.13; Ocean Signal 09.30.13; Road to Recovery Statement 09.30.13; SNAP Statement 09.30.13; Asbury Park Press 10.01.13; Times of Trenton 10.01.13; Newsworks 10.02.13; Asbury Park Press 10.03.13; Diocese of Trenton Statement 10.03.13; Diocese of Trenton Statement 10.03.13; SNAP Statement 10.03.13; Star Ledger 10.03.13; The Republic (AP) 10.03.13; Toms River Patch 10.03.13; American Conservative 10.04.13; Courier Post 10.04.13; Ocean Signal 10.04.13; Waiting for Godot to Leave 10.06.13; Star Ledger 10.07.13; Star-Ledger 11.03.13; Star-Ledger 11.21.13; http://bishop-accountability.org/