Media Release

Road to Recovery
September 30, 2013

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AbuseTrackerArchive/2013/09/#089278

Trenton, New Jersey, Bishop Had Information for a Year Regarding a Sexting Priest and Did Not Inform Unsuspecting Parish and Public

Trenton Bishop Kept Minors at Risk of Sexual Abuse Due to His Negligence

Trenton Bishop Must Resign or be Removed

What: A demonstration and leafleting calling for the resignation or removal of Trenton,

New Jersey, Bishop David O’Connell.

When: Tuesday, October 1, 2013 from 10:00 AM until Noon.

Where: On the sidewalk outside the headquarters of the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey,

701 Lawrenceville Road, Trenton, NJ 08648

Who: Survivors of clergy sexual abuse, including the co-founder and President of Road

to Recovery, Inc., a New Jersey-based non-profit charity that assists victims of sexual abuse, and supporters.

Why: Bishop David O’Connell proved recently that he is not fit to be the bishop of the

Diocese of Trenton and must resign or be removed. Since 2011, Bishop O’Connell had information that Fr. Matthew Riedlinger of St. Aloysius Church, Jackson, NJ, had been sexually inappropriate with young males over the internet. In addition, O’Connell removed Riedlinger from ministry in 2012, drove him to a facility for treatment, but never informed the parish or the public about the allegations against Fr. Riedlinger. It wasn’t until September, 2013, that Bishop O’Connell had a letter read to the parishioners of St. Aloysius Parish regarding Fr. Riedlinger. However, the letter never referenced the fact that Fr. Riedlinger had sent sex messages to someone whom he believed to be 16 years of age. O’Connell’s actions were outrageous, dangerous, and in violation of the promise of the United States Catholic Bishops to be honest and transparent about all cases of sexual abuse by priests. Bishop O’Connell must resign or be removed for covering up Fr. Riedlinger’s actions and making the Trenton unsafe for children, teenagers, and vulnerable adults.

Contacts: Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800

Road to Recovery, Inc.

P.O. Box 279

Livingston, NJ 07039

Contact: roberthoatson@gmail.com