A civil lawsuit has been filed against the Diocese of Trenton alleging the sexual abuse of a minor in 1989-90 by Rev. Joseph Farrell, currently pastor of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt. The abuse was alleged to have taken place during Father Farrell’s ministry in Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish in Atlantic Highlands. A report was filed immediately by the Diocese with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Diocese has pledged its full cooperation to law enforcement.  Father Farrell has been placed on leave by the Diocese and an investigation into the credibility of the allegation will be pursued. Announcements were made at both Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish and St. Isidore-St. Andrew Parish at weekend Masses April 10 and 11. The Diocese requests prayers for all involved in this painful and difficult matter and, again, urges anyone who has been sexually abused as a minor by a representative of the Diocese of Trenton or knows of such abuse to report that information immediately to the police and to the Diocese (1-888-296-2965 or abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org).

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced the following appointment, effective immediately:

Rev. Robert Holtz, from parochial vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, to administrator of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt.