Father John P Bernard Diocese of Camden
John-P-Bernard
Ordained: 1962 Left Ministry: 1977 Removed: 1992
Assigned as follows:
- 1963: Blessed Sacrament (Margate, NJ)
- 1964-1969: Assumption (Pomona, NJ)
- 1970-1972: St. Margaret's (Woodbury Heights, NJ)
- 1973: Holy Saviour (Westmont, NJ)
- 1974-1977: SS. Peter and Paul (Washington Township, NJ)
- 1978-1992: On Duty Outside the Diocese; V.A. Hospital Chaplain (Batavia, NY)
- 1993-2002: Retired (Elba, NY)
- 1993-2002: V.A. Hospital Chaplain (Batavia, NY)
- 2000-2002: Retired (Elba, NY)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father John P Bernard:
According to media reports, in a lawsuit and in interviews with The Inquirer, a Tuckerton man said Father John P. Bernard and other priests within the Diocese of Camden abused him for 5 years, beginning in 1972 when he was 12 years old. One of the victims, who was 46 at the time of the 1994 lawsuit, said he was abused in rectories at St. Gregory's in Magnolia, St. Peter's in Merchantville, and Our Lady Star of the Sea in Cape May, NJ. He said Bernard tried to rape him as they lay naked in bed with another priest. Two brothers who also said Bernard abused them received a $50,000 settlement in 1993. In court documents, Bernard denied the allegations. Bernard left parish ministry to be a military chaplain in 1977, coinciding with the end of the 5-year abuse one of Bernard's victims suffered beginning in 1972. In February of 2019, his name also appeared publicly on the Diocese of Camden list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors. He retired in 1992 and was permanently removed from ministry. Bernard is now 75 and believes to be living in Elkton, Maryland. Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Camden in New Jersey. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in New Jersey, contact our office today. In October 2020, the Camden Diocese filed for federal bankruptcy protection. The Court will resolve all claims of sexual abuse in this process but strict filing deadlines will apply and no late claims will be considered, so contact us today. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in New Jersey and nationwide. We can help. Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.