A former Middlesex County priest is accused of sexually assaulting underage teenage girl in the 1990s.
Thomas Ganley, currently assigned to a church in Phillipsburg, Warren County, is the first to be charged in a case filed by the state Clergy Abuse Task Force.
“This case illustrates that we are prepared to move swiftly to investigate allegations, and where there are viable criminal charges, to pursue those charges,” Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said. “We urge all survivors, witnesses of sexual abuse and others with information to call our hotline.”
Ganley is charged with one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and two counts of second degree sexual assault.
The abuse allegedly took place from 1990 to 1994, while Ganley was a priest at St. Cecelia Church in the Iselin section of Woodbridge. The girl was between the ages of 14 and 17.
Ganley was arrested Wednesday by members of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office assigned to the task force. He is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center in North Brunswick pending a detention hearing scheduled for Friday.
“We want survivors to know that our task force is comprised of experienced prosecutors and detectives from every county and we stand ready to bring all these resources to bear to investigate these crimes and hold abusers accountable,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “It is important for survivors to know that, even if the abuse they suffered occurred many years ago, criminal prosecutions may still be possible and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.”
The task for is led by former Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino.
“This first arrest by the Task Force is indicative of the painstaking effort we are undertaking to give a voice to the survivors of clergy abuse, many of whom have suffered in silence for decades,” he said. “Every caller who contacts our hotline can be assured that their case will be taken seriously, and that we will make every effort to hold their abuser accountable.”
Grewal formed the task for in September, in response to publication of a report by a Pennsylvania grand jury outlining allegations of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests against more than 1,000 victims in that state, which were uncovered in a multi-year investigation led by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
At the same time, Trenton Bishop David O'Connell had a statement read at Roman Catholic churches throughout the state.
"All of these reported allegations are indefensible, revolting and horrific,
he wrote. "They have done irreparable harm to their victims, their families and to the church. Clergy and faithful alike have rightfully reacted with anger, outrage, disgust and disillusionment. It has profoundly shaken their faith and devastated the credibility of the church’s leadership."
He said that, "as a bishop, I hang my head in shame knowing that even my deepest apology is inadequate. Still, I offer it again."
New Jersey’s 24-hour hotline is 855-363-6548. It has received more than 350 calls since September.
Anyone with information about Ganley is asked to call Detective Paul Kelley at 732-745-4499 or Detective Julissa Alvarado 732-745-3711 of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
