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Photo: St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen, New Jersey; via Wikipedia.
A survivor of clergy sexual abuse in New Jersey is calling on Church leadership to reckon with what he describes as a troubling culture of secrecy, hostility, and inconsistency in the Catholic Church’s response to survivors.
Writing in Where Peter Is, a Catholic publication dedicated to integrity in Church teaching and leadership, survivor John Bellocchio shared his personal experiences navigating multiple dioceses’ responses after he came forward about being abused by former cardinal Theodore McCarrick as a teenager in Hackensack.
Bellocchio revealed that after reaching out to the Diocese of Metuchen in good faith, seeking transparency and dialogue, he was accidentally copied on an internal email chain in which diocesan staff and officials, including the bishop, privately mocked and discredited him. He was referred to as “warped,” “unwound,” and accused of having ulterior motives, including possibly working for a plaintiff’s firm. For Bellocchio, the emails underscored not just a moment of cruelty, but an entrenched institutional attitude: that survivors are threats, not people deserving of dignity.
In his essay, Bellocchio writes that such treatment perpetuates a culture of fear and silence, one that discourages survivors from speaking out. “What I saw in those emails confirmed every worst fear,” he said. “And it reminded me why so many survivors give up on the Church altogether.”
Yet Bellocchio also points to dioceses that he says are choosing a more just and compassionate path. He commended the Diocese of Paterson, where Bishop Kevin Sweeney has met directly with survivors and supported initiatives like the St. Dymphna Society, which focuses on healing through faith and community. He also highlighted Bishop Joseph A. Williams of Camden, who, upon arriving to lead a diocese with a history of secrecy, immediately shifted toward transparency and direct engagement with survivors. Bellocchio praised both bishops for prioritizing truth, accountability, and accompaniment, calling their approach “a blueprint for the rest of the Church.”
By contrast, Bellocchio criticized the Archdiocese of Newark and Cardinal Joseph Tobin for failing to live up to promises of reform and transparency. Despite Tobin’s public statements about supporting survivors, Bellocchio pointed to instances of silence and institutional protectionism, including limited action following a report on harassment at Seton Hall’s seminary, and the lack of public accountability for past attempts to block state investigations into clergy abuse.
Addressing Cardinal Tobin directly, Bellocchio urged him to act boldly: to open the files, remove compromised figures, and support survivor-led reforms. “This isn’t about politics. It’s about the Gospel,” he wrote. “And the Gospel demands truth. It demands mercy. And it demands courage.”
Bellocchio’s reflection is both a call for healing and a challenge to Church leaders to model accountability—not just in words, but in action. He believes reform is possible, pointing to Paterson and Camden as evidence, and calls on Newark and others to follow their lead. “Heal what has been broken. Walk with those who were cast aside,” he writes. “Make sure no survivor ever again sees their name mocked in an email from the Church they once trusted.”
Are You A Victim of Clergy Abuse?
If you or someone you care about was harmed by a member of the Catholic Church, you are not alone, and you may have legal options. SurvivorsRights.com offers a comprehensive guide to help you understand your rights, the scope of Church abuse cases and settlements and what steps you can take next. Visit our Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Guide to learn more, explore recent legal developments, and, if you’re ready, you may be able to connect with an experienced attorney who understands how to pursue justice with care and compassion.
