Father Thomasz Zielinski
Diocese of Metuchen
Placed on Leave: 2008
Charged:2008
Sentenced: 2009
Released from prison: 2010
Assigned as Follows:
- Christ the King Church (Manville, NJ)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Thomasz Zielinski:
Father Thomasz Zielinski was ordained a priest in 2008 and served in the Diocese of Metuchen. He served in multiple parishes throughout his career. According to several media reports, in January 2009 during a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport, Father Thomasz Zielinski reached over to the 16-year old girl seated next to him and touched her thigh and groped her without permission. During the flight from Poland, also reportedly attempted to unzip the victim's pants under a blanket. The victim got up and asked for assistance from the flight crew, and was moved to a different seat for the remainder of the flight. FBI agents interviewed him four days later, and he confessed to the sexual misconduct. Despite later criminal charges and a guilty plea, he has been allowed to remain a priest. The Diocese of Metuchen removed him from his position as a visiting assistant pastor at Christ the King Church in Manville, NJ.
Zielinski was sentenced to one year in federal prison in January of 2009. He was released exactly one year later. No further information is known about his whereabouts since being released from prison. As part of his plea agreement, Zielinski reportedly agreed to be deported.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in New Jersey, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Metuchen now have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in New Jersey and nationwide. We can help.
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