Statements of New Jersey dioceses regarding Newark's Fr. Michael Fugee

While the Newark archdiocese first denied and then minimized the fact that Fr. Michael Fugee violated agreements to not have access to children, neighboring dioceses are reacting with alarm to finding out that he, unknown to them, participated in youth ministry activities.

STATEMENT OF THE PATERSON DIOCESE SEEKING INFORMATION ON FATHER MICHAEL FUGEE

Without any foreknowledge or approval of the Paterson Diocese, Fr. Michael Fugee, a priest of the Newark Archdiocese, engaged in ministry with youth in the Diocese of Paterson. This happened, as far as we now know, on one occasion several years ago at a retreat house in the diocese while with a group from a parish of the Trenton Diocese. He was under a restriction not to do so without proper supervision from the Archdiocese of Newark and legal authorities. The first awareness that diocesan leadership had concerning these activities of Fathr Fugee wthin the diocese came from the most recent media accounts.

If anyone has any information about inappropriate behavior on the part of Father Fugee, please notify your County Prosecutor's Office. Please also inform the diocese by contacting Monsignor James T. Mahoney, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia (973-777-8818, ext. 205) or Sister Mary Edward Spohrer, S.C.C., Chancellor (973-777-8818, ext. 248).

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON

We have recently confirmed that a serious breach of compliance with our child protection policies has taken place in one of our parishes. As a result, Father Michael Fugee, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, who would not have been given clearance to minister in this diocese if procedures had been followed, was present among some of our youth during several parish events.

It is important to remind everyone throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties of the Diocese’s policies and processes that have been in place to keep children and youth safe in our parishes, schools and other agencies. To review these policies, visit
http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/protection We again urge anyone who has been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or another representative of the Catholic Church, or anyone who knows of someone who was, to report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline.

To report sexual abuse of minors call our hotline 1-888-296-2965

or contact us at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org

Please note: All allegations are reported by the Diocese to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.