Monsignor Joseph R. Punderson
Diocese of Trenton
Ordained: 1976
Assigned to Holy See: 1995
First credibly accused: 2004
Removed from Ministry: 2018
Assigned as follows:
- Christ the King (Manville, NJ)
- St. Mary (Trenton, NJ)
- Sacred Heart (Trenton, NJ)
- Vice-Chancellor, Diocese of Trenton
- Morris Hall, Chaplain (Lawrenceville, NJ)
- Apostolic Signatura, Vatican (Holy See)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Msgr. Joseph Punderson:
According to media reports, in 2004, Msgr. Joseph Punderson was accused of sexually abusing a child in the late 1970s. At the time the allegation was made, Punderson was working at the Holy See as a senior official of the Vatican's highest court. The Diocese of Trenton ultimately found the allegation to be credible after an internal investigation, but the Vatican took no steps to restrict Punderson's work.
According to a news agency, Punderson offered to resign from his Vatican post but was told that was unnecessary and he continued working.
Punderson continued in his position at the Holy See and retired voluntarily in late 2018.
In February 2019, the Diocese of Trenton published a list of priests it found had been the subject of credible allegations of sexual abuse. Punderson's name appears on that list.
According to a Diocese of Trenton statement, Punderson is no longer permitted to present himself publicly as a priest. He is still living and is now 71 years old.
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