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Alleged sex abuse survivor sues Catholic church for allowing predatory priest to lead youth group

Posted at 12:22 AM, Mar 09, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-09 00:22:44-05

SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. - A man who claims to have been abused by a priest as a child is suing the Catholic church for negligence because, even after the abuse was reported, that priest was placed in charge of youth ministry activities.

Attorney Gregory Gianforcaro said he and his old client, known only as Mr. X, met with the Archdiocese of Newark on Oct. 24, 2003 to detail allegations of sexual abuse by Father Kevin Gugliotta.

Mr. X did not want money. He wanted Father Gugliotta to be kept away from kids.

Instead, Gugliotta was assigned to St. Bartholomew the Apostle church, less than 2.5 miles from Mr. X's home.

"I don’t understand what the problem is with this Catholic Church," exclaimed Gianforcaro. "After the warning — he was made head of youth ministry."

It took Gugliotta less than one year to meet his next alleged victim - Richard Roe.

Richard Roe is an alias. His real name has not been disclosed.

Roe was 11 years old in 2004, when he claims Father Gugliotta forced him to participate in oral sex, fondling and masturbation on trips and on church property.

His mother just found out a year ago. Roe is now 26.

"We were just both in shock and dismay of what happened," she said.

Gugliotta was later transferred to a parish in Mahwah, New Jersey.

"The younger the victim is, the much harder it is for them to come forward," said Mark Crawford, head of New Jersey Survivors of those Abused by Priests.

In 2016, Pennsylvania authorities charged Father Gugliotta with 20 unrelated counts of child pornography.

He went to prison for less than two years. And now, he’s out.

"To other parents, be very vigilant," Roe's mother said.

Today, Roe filed suit against the Catholic Church for negligence and fraud. Gianforcaro will also serve as his attorney.

"Kevin Gugliatta should have never, ever have been apart of my clients’ life," he said.