Father Michael J Burns
Diocese of Trenton
Ordained: 1973
Sued: 2004
Retired (in good standing): 2017
Assigned as follows:
- 1973-1977: St. Hedwig Parish (Trenton, NJ)
- 1977-1985: St. Paul Parish (St. Katharine Drexel) (Burlington, NJ)
- 1985-1990: Sacred Heart Parish (Trenton, NJ)
- 1990-2017: St. Mary Parish, Pastor (Bordentown, NJ)
- 2017-present: Diocese Retirement, Villa Vianney (Lawrenceville, NJ)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Michael J Burns:
In 2002, the Diocese of Trenton received an allegation against Fr. Michael J. Burns from a victim claiming he abused her as a 6th grader at the Sacred Heart Church in Trenton, New Jersey around 1975. The Diocese allowed Burns to continue as pastor at St. Mary after the internal review board determined that the allegation was not believable.
According to media reports, in 2004, the victim filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Trenton and Burns.
Burns continued in active ministry until his retirement in 2017.
According to the victim, the abuse took place in Burns' "office-bedroom" in the Sacred Heart Church rectory. The victim described the abuse as Burns using the privacy of their tutoring sessions to touch her "intimate parts, either directly or through clothing, for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying himself."
Burns retired in 2017 and now lives in the Diocese of Trenton retirement community Villa Vianney in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He remains a priest in good standing.
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