Fr. Peter Walsh – Archdiocese of Newark

| May 14, 2019 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father Peter Walsh

Archdiocese of Newark (Franciscan Friars)

Ordained: 1982

Arrested: 1993

Convicted: 1994

Assigned as follows:

  • St. Anthony’s Shrine Church (Troy, NJ)

Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Peter Walsh:

Father Peter Walsh was ordained a priest in 1982 and served in the Archdiocese of Newark. He served in multiple parishes throughout his career. According to media reports, in August 1993, he was arrested for exposing himself and masturbating in front of five young boys, ages 7-13, on two different occasions in Lyndhurst, NJ.  After his arrest, Father Walsh was reassigned to the Franciscan order’s Manhattan office and lived in a monastery there.

In March 1994, Father Walsh pleaded guilty and was convicted on five counts of child endangerment. He was sentenced to five years probation, and ordered to receive psychological counseling with a professional trained in the treatment of sex offenders.  Additionally, he was ordered to have an adult chaperone whenever he was in a car.

Citing psychiatric reports, Judge George Parsons said Father Walsh’s compulsive sexual disorder was caused by “extreme tension with no available outlet.” Parsons ordered that Walsh be permitted to perform “limited” priestly duties.

In June 2004, an adult man reported to the Diocese of Manchester New Hampshire that Father Walsh fondled then masturbated him for 3-4 months between 1987-1988. Father Walsh was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in Derry at the time. He denied the allegations.

In February 2019, the Archdiocese of Newark released its list of credibly accused priests in the Archdiocese of Newark. Father Walsh’s name does not appear on that list. His current location is unknown.  He is not a registered sex offender.  He is believed to be approximately 70 years old.

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.

Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.