Father Robert Chabak
Archdiocese of Newark
Ordained: 1972
On Sabbatical/On Leave: 1988-1989
Elevated to Monsignor: 1998
Removed from ministry: 2013
Assigned as Follows:
- 1972-1979: St. Mary of the Assumption Church (Elizabeth, NJ)
- 1979-1988: Christ the King (Hillside, NJ)
- 1988-1989: Absent on Sabbatical Leave
- 1989-1990: The Church of Saint Theresa (Kenilworth, NJ)
- 1990-1997: Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church (Hoboken, NJ)
- 1994-1997: Dean of Central Hudson Region Deanery 9 (Newark, NJ)
- 1997-2006: St. Valentine's Church (Bloomfield, NJ)
- 2002-2004: Dean of North Essex Deanery 16 (Newark, NJ)
- 2006-2008: Not indexed
- 2008-2012: Retired - (Normandy Beach, NJ)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Robert Chabak:
Father Robert Chabak was ordained to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Newark in 1972. He served in multiple parishes throughout his career. According to media reports, in 2004, allegations were first made against that he sexually abused a 15-year-old boy while he was assigned to St. Mary of the Assumption in Elizabeth in the 1970s. He was placed on administrative leave in November 2004 when church officials decided there was enough evidence to support the claims made against him.
In years since, Father Chabak had been living in Normandy Beach, NJ. When Hurricane Sandy hit and damaged his home, the Archdiocese allowed him to take up residence at St. Joseph "out of a sense of compassion." No one informed the parishioners and it was months before anyone realized he was an accused and suspended priest. Under pressure from the priests and parishioners, the Archdiocese told Father Chabak to leave the rectory in July 2013 and later allowed him to reside in a Rutherford retirement home for priests.
Father Chabak's name appeared on the February 2019 list of credibly accused priests published by the Archdiocese of Newark. No information was provided as to the allegations known to the Archdiocese, such as the age/gender of his victims, or Father Chabak's assignment(s) at the time of the abuse.
He is believed to be residing in the Normandy Beach area again. According to the Archdiocese of Newark, Father Chabak remains a priest, but has no faculties to minister.
He is 73 years old.
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