Scope of Abuse at Delbarton Grows as Four Survivors of Prolific Perpetrator Timothy Brennan Come Forward Under New Jersey Sexual Abuse Act
(Morristown, NJ) – Today on behalf of multiple courageous survivors, attorneys from Jeff Anderson & Associates and Gianforcaro Law filed four (4) sexual abuse complaints against the prestigious Delbarton School (Morristown), the Order of Saint Benedict of New Jersey (OSBNJ), St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish/School (Linden), and the Archdiocese of Newark. The cases, brought under the New Jersey Sexual Abuse Act, identify notorious abuser Father Timothy Brennan, O.S.B., who was employed by the Delbarton School and St. Elizabeth of Hungary when the alleged abuse occurred.
“These courageous survivors who filed their claims today are joining those who filed before them and we honored to stand with them in their journeys to reclaim the power that was stolen from them so many years ago,” said attorney Greg Gianforcaro. “Delbarton School, the Order of St. Benedict of New Jersey and St. Elizabeth’s provided Timothy Brennan with unfettered access to children for decades, and it’s time to hold these institutions accountable.”
Each of the complaints identifies Fr. Brennan, alleging sexual abuse of minors in the 1970s and 1980s at both St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish/School and the Delbarton School. Fr. Brennan has been identified and sued previously by numerous other survivors.
“Brennan is one of the worst serial pedophile priests in this state’s history,” said Gianforcaro. He noted that Brennan was permitted to remain a priest for decades, even after his abuse of minors was known by those who were responsible for the care of the children who attended their schools and parishes. “Shockingly,” he said, “instead of removing Brennan from the priesthood, those who supervised him were more concerned about their reputations than about the safety and protection of the children placed in their care.”
This is the third group of filings the firms have brought under New Jersey Sexual Abuse Act against Delbarton School and the Order of Saint Benedict this year, the first was on July 7 and the second was on October 8. Ten of these complaints have identified Timothy Brennan as a perpetrator.
“The New Jersey Sexual Abuse Act has provided a safe platform for these courageous survivors to share their stories and expose the pain and the peril that was hidden for so long,” said attorney Jeff Anderson. “They have summoned incredible strength to come forward and reclaim some of the power taken from them as children. In so doing they are opening the way for others to do the same.”