Father Jesus Orlando Rengifo
Archdiocese of Newark
Ordained: 1984
Removed: 2016
Assigned as follows:
- St. Joseph of the Palisades (West New York, NJ)
- Holy Trinity (Hackensack, NJ)
- St. Paul of the Cross (Jersey City, NJ)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Jesus Orlando Rengifo:
Father Jesus Orlando Rengifo was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Pereira, Colombia, in 1984 and had served temporarily in the Archdiocese of Newark. According to media reports, in February 2019, his name was included on its list of 63 priests "credibly accused" of child sex abuse.
"This list of names is the result of an extensive review of Archdiocesan records dating back to 1940. All names were previously reported to law enforcement agencies. The Archdiocese of Newark has a zero-tolerance policy for any type of mistreatment or misconduct involving children and young adults. No member of the clergy with a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor remains in ministry."
The only specifics provided were the parishes and schools each priest served under and the number of victims known. Father Rengifo was listed as having one alleged victim. The age/gender of that victim is unknown, as is the priest's assignment at the time of the alleged abuse. In 2016, he was permanently removed from the ministry.
According to online reports, in mid 2016, The The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) had been advised of concerns regarding Father Rengifo. The Archdiocese related that he was removed from ministry there following an allegation of misconduct, and that the Diocese of Pereira advised that it had also suspended Father Rengifo and instituted canonical proceedings for laicization against him.
According to news reports, Father Rengifo had recently presented himself at Archdiocesan offices in Newark seeking some assignment in ministry, and did so in clerical garb despite the fact that his suspension prohibited him from engaging in priestly ministry or presenting himself as a priest. Because Father Rengifo had taken these steps, the Archdiocese was concerned that he would also seek opportunities in other dioceses.
Father Rengifo was last known to be living in New Jersey.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused in the Archdiocese of Newark, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Newark 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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