Father Brendan V. Sullivan was removed by the diocese after an adult male came forward claiming Sullivan sexually abused him when he was 14 years old.

Because Sullivan, now 74, was removed from priesthood, he can longer function or present himself as a priest in accordance with the "Essential Norms for Diocesan Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons."

The diocese has also reported the sexual abuse allegation to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office since that is where the alleged abuse occurred. The diocese has a policy of reporting all allegations of sexual abuse against a minor, regardless of when or how long ago the abuse occurred.

Assistance and support has since been made available to the victim. The diocese also established a special toll-free number for people to call and report instances of abuse. That number is (800)964-6588.

At Zalkin Law Firm, we devote a large majority of our practice to clergy abuse, and can help if you or your child was sexually abused or molested by a priest, pastor, rabbi, or any other religious official. We've seen firsthand the devastating toll this type of abuse takes on the victim, and are committed to helping victims of clergy abuse seek justice and recover the compensation they deserve.

If you're interested in learning more about our services, please contact the office at (800) 724-3235 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced clergy abuse lawyers.

Michael Lowell Barnes, 64, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse and assault on a minor, and is now being extradited from his home in North Carolina to Maryland--the state where the crimes occurred.

The Ocean City Police Department in Maryland received a complaint last year that the former priest repeatedly sexually abused and molested a minor in Ocean City. The victim is now an adult.

Police have had trouble extraditing Barnes from North Carolina, mainly because he has been suffering from numerous health problems. He recently had a quadruple bypass and suffered two heart attacks.

Barnes was finally extradited to Worcester County, Maryland, where he has been booked in the Worcester County jail. A judge has since set his bail at $75,000. Barnes is still in jail, and although he hasn't been formally indicted, he faces 16 counts stemming from the alleged abuse. A hearing has been set for March 15.

In addition to the criminal charges, the victim has also filed a civil lawsuit against Barnes, as well as against the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He claims the "long pattern of abuse" began in 1977 when he was just 12 years old, and continued on for several years.

Abuse by a priest is one of the most traumatizing experiences a young person can go through. If your child has been abused by a priest, or if you yourself were abused as a child, you should speak with an experienced clergy abuse lawyer at the Zalkin Law Firm about your legal options. You deserve to be compensated for your traumatic experience, and you can depend on an attorney at our office to advocate your rights, stand up for your cause, and help you pursue a lawsuit for the largest possible settlement.

To learn more about the clergy abuse services offered at the firm, contact our office today by calling (800) 724-3235!

Johnson, who has yet to be arraigned, is facing is several new charges, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption of minors.

This is not the first time Johnson has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with a minor. Earlier this month he was charged with 45 counts of sex-related crimes, all of which stemmed from unlawful sexual interaction with a boy from 1992 to 1995. During this time Johnson served at the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York and was the rector at St. Anna's in Afton, New York. The victim in this case was between the ages of 11 and 15 when the abuse occurred.

Johnson is scheduled to be arraigned for the first set of charges on March 9. An arraignment has not yet been schedule for the second set of charges.

While ordained, Johnson reportedly served in parishes in Buckingham, part of the Pennsylvania diocese, and the Central New York Diocese churches of St. Anna's in Afton, Zion Church in Windsor, and St. Paul's in Owego.

But according to Bill Lewellis, communication minister of the Episcopal Church's Diocese of Bethlehem, Johnson was never authorized to serve as a priest in any of the 14-county northeastern diocese.

Regardless, what is certain is that if Johnson is found guilty of the charges he will be sentenced to a number of harsh penalties, including imprisonment, restitution to the victims, fines, probation, and registration as a sex offender.

The Zalkin Law Firm is committed to helping victims of priest abuse take legal action for the injustice that has been committed against them. Sexual abuse of any kind is a highly traumatic experience, and any person, whether a child or an adult, whose been sexually abused by a clergy member has the right to be compensated for their pain and suffering. If you or your child has been abused by a priest, contact the Zalkin Law Firm today to speak with an experienced clergy abuse attorney about your legal options.

The charges filed against The Rev. Robert F. Poandl include first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree sexual assault, and sexual abuse by a custodian. He has since been released on bond and has been staying at the Glenmary Home Missioners' residences in Cincinnati. The president of Glenmary, The Rev. Dan Dorsey, said he asked Poandl to return to the residences upon hearing of the molestation accusations, but confirmed that Poandl has not been acting as a priest in any capacity.

Poandl was arrested after the victim, who is now 28 and living in Cincinnati, confessed to police last year that he was molested by Poandl at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church rectory in Spencer, West Virginia.

Poandl has not made any public statements, but Dorsey said it's his hope and prayer that "God's love and guidance will help all those affected by this accusation."

If you have been abused by a Catholic priest, you are not alone. Unfortunately, thousands of teenagers and children are molested or sexually abused by their priest every year. At the Zalkin Law Firm, we understand how traumatic this experience can be, and want to help. If you or your child has been sexually abused by a member of the Catholic Church, you can trust a clergy abuse lawyer at our firm to aggressively advocate your rights to compensation for your pain and suffering and mental anguish. To learn more, please contact the Zalkin Law Firm by calling (800) 724-3235!

Russell Walter Schaller, senior pastor at the Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church, has been charged with six counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor. He is currently being held in the Wayne County Jail on $100,000 bond.

According to River Rouge Police Chief Robert Alderman, Schaller befriended the victim over the last couple of years, but the alleged misconduct has only been going on for the last six months.

Alderman said Schaller has history of taking in trouble teens, but it's not sure whether or not the victim in this case is one of them. According to Alderman, Schaller would bring the teens into his home and then collect Social Security for them.

Based on this information, police now believe there could be other victims.

If Schaller is convicted on the charges he could face 15 years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender, probably for life. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 19.

Sexual abuse by a pastor, priest, or any other any religious figure is one of the most traumatic experiences a child or teenager can face. If you or your loved has been sexually abused by a member of your church, an experienced clergy abuse lawyer at the Zalkin Law Firm can help. An attorney at the firm can help you file a lawsuit against the person who sexually abused you in an effort to recover compensation and get justice for the crimes that have been committed against you.

Martin Richter, 48, a pastor with congregations in both Big Bear City and Glendale, was charged with lewd acts with a child and two counts of attempted lewd acts with a child.

A spokeswoman with the sheriff's department has declined to comment on whether the victim was a member of either of Richter's congregations.

The sexual abuse allegedly occurred in 2008, around the time Martin was set to retire as a pastor. It's unclear whether the victim came forward and reported the abuse, or if detectives were alerted to the situation some other way.

Martin is currently being held in police custody on 350,000 bail. A preliminary hearing has been set for February 16.

Investigators believe there could be additional victims, and are urging anyone with information or anyone who might have been sexually abused by Martin to contact detectives by calling (909) 866-0100.

If you have been sexually abused by a pastor, priest, rabbi, or any other clergyman, you are not alone. At Zalkin Law Firm, we understand clergy abuse is a very traumatic experience, and are committed to helping victims of clergy abuse from across the U.S. seek justice by taking legal action. If you are interested in arranging a consultation with an experienced clergy abuse lawyer to discuss your case, please contact the Zalkin Law Firm today by calling (800) 724-3235.

The lawsuit was filed against Rose by a former student, Paul Mehl, who was 16 or 17 at the time the abuse occurred.

Rose came to Fargo, North Dakota in 1976, where he worked at Shanley High School as a teacher. Mehl was a student of Rose's at the school and claims Rose sexually abuse him during a school trip to Bismarck. Rose also said his mother told the Fargo diocese about the abuse, but they did nothing about it.

Mehl is the third victim to step forward and file a lawsuit against Rose. The other two victims also claim they were sexually abused during overnight school trips.  All three cases are expected to be heard again in March at the Cass County courthouse.

While only three people have filed a claim, the Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests say they've heard from nearly 30 people in the Fargo area who could also be victims.

Sexual abuse of any kind is a devastating experience for the victim, but the situation is undoubtedly worse when the abuser is someone the victim knows and trusts, such as a priest or teacher. If you or someone you know has been sexually abused by a priest, a clergy abuse lawyer at the Zalkin Law Firm, P.C. can help you take legal action. To learn more, click here to contact the Zalkin Law Firm today!

The Rev. John Wielebski, 62, is accused of sexually abusing a minor, allegations that he has denied.

While the archdiocese was investigating those accusations, new allegations were made that Wielebski engaged in sexual misconduct with two young men.

The misconduct is alleged to have occurred at St. Dominic Church in Baltimore, where Wielebski worked during the mid to late '80s, and at Monsignor Clare J. O'Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks, where he work from 1988 to 1991. 

The archdiocese is cooperating with civil law enforcement authorities, and is working with Resurrection of our Lord to provide counseling to those who have been affected by Wielebski's actions.

Wielebski was ordained as a priest in 1978 and joined the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1988.  He worked at several churches and ministries from the early 1980s through the late 1990s.  In 1999 he was assigned to Resurrection of Our Lord, where he remained until his recent suspension.

If you are a victim of Catholic priest abuse, you have undoubtedly been through a devastating ordeal. Although nothing can make up for the pain and anguish you have been through, you do have legal rights that could entitle you to compensation.  Contact the Zalkin Law Firm today to learn more about how an experienced clergy abuse lawyer can help you file a lawsuit in the hopes of recovering damages.  

The Rev. John W. Broderick was suspended from the church after allegations came out that he had inappropriate sexual contact with three children from the same family in 2007. Broderick filed a lawsuit against the family, claiming that several members of the family made defamatory statements about him.  He was seeking $500,000 in damages.

Although the lawsuit described several of the statements that were made, the judge dismissed the case because it did not include specifics such as where or when the defamatory statements were made.

Broderick was found guilty in February of misdemeanor child endangerment. However, the judge dismissed the felony sexual abuse charges against him after the jury was asked to consider a lesser charge. The jury should not have been asked to consider that.

If you are a victim of Catholic priest abuse, you have undoubtedly been through a devastating ordeal. With the help of an experienced and dedicated clergy abuse attorney at the Zalkin Law Firm, you may be able to recover compensation for your physical injuries, mental anguish, and psychological distress. Contact Zalkin Law Firm today!

The age of the minor at the time of the incident is still unknown, and it is not known whether the victim is a boy or a girl.  Suarez was serving as an associate priest at St. Anthony's in Hughson at the time the misconduct occurred.  He didn't come to Our Lady Fatima until 2009.

The incident was revealed by the Stockton Diocese, however, it is unclear whether the victim reported the abuse to diocese, or the diocese found out about the misconduct another way.

Under the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Suarez will never be allowed to serve as a priest again.

No lawsuit has been filed against Suarez or the Catholic Church at this time.

If you or a loved one was sexually abused by a member of the Catholic church, an experienced clergy abuse attorney at the Zalkin Law Firm can assist you in taking legal action.  As a victim of sexual abuse, you have the right to be compensated for the damages you have suffered.  To learn more about the services offered at our firm, please do not hesitate to contact the office today to schedule an appointment to discuss your case. 

If you or a loved one has suffered from priest abuse, it is crucial to get legal help from a clergy abuse lawyer from the Zalkin Law Firm.  The legal team at the firm is dedicated to assisting those who have been victims of this crime to seek compensation for the damages suffered as a result of these criminal acts.

The lawsuit claims that the ex-priest had a long history of sexual misconduct with students and that the Church was aware of the situation.  The priest was a member of the order of St. Benedict.  Three other members of the clergy are also named in the other lawsuit filed:  Reverend Finnian McDonald and Brother John Kelly.  The victim is requesting unspecificied financial damages and a jury trial.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of clergy abuse, it is vital to get legal representation from a clergy abuse attorney.  The legal team at the Zalkin Law Firm is dedicated to fighting for the rights of victims of clergy abuse.  Justice can be served by seeking monetary compensation for the damages suffered by victims of priest abuse.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of priest abuse, it is critical to get legal representation from a clergy abuse attorney to assist you in making your claim for compensation for damages.  The legal team at the Zalkin Law Firm has dedicated their practice to assisting victims of clergy abuse get justice and fair monetary compensation in clergy abuse cases in New Hampshire as well as other states. 

If you or a loved one has been the victim of priest abuse, it is critical that you contact a clergy abuse attorney.  The legal team at the Zalkin Law Firm is a dedicated group of clergy abuse attorneys that fights for fair monetary compensation for victims of priest abuse or other clergy abuse cases.

Another deposition regarding Carr in the documents claims that two boys were molested by Carr when they were parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima in Wilton.  The claim is that the priest "tickled" them and grabbed at their private parts.  Carr was then removed from Our Lady of Fatima, as the parents of the boys made a complaint to the diocese.  Carr was then moved to serve as a "spiritual advisor" at Central Catholic high school in Bridgeport.  In 2002, Carr was defrocked and referred to law enforcement.  This is one of many stories to come out of recently released Church documents.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of priest abuse or abuse from other member of the clergy, it is vital that you contact a clergy abuse attorney.  The legal team at the Zalkin Law Firm is dedicated to assisting those who have suffered abuse and assisting them in getting the compensation for damages they deserve for these criminal acts.