Brother Eugene McKenna
Archdiocese of Newark
Ordained: Unknown
Died: 2004
Assigned as follows:
- Bergen Catholic High School (Oradell, NJ)
- Power Memorial Academy, Rice High School (NY, NY)
- Cardinal Hayes High School (NY, NY)
- Boys Central High School (Butte, Montana)
- Cardinal Farley Military Academy (Rhinecliff, NY)
- Brother Rice High School (Detroit, MI)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Brother Eugene McKenna:
Brother Eugene McKenna was a member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers religious order and served in the Archdiocese of Newark. He was the Founding Principal of Bergen Catholic High School, a private, four year college prep school in Oradell, New Jersey from 1955-1962. He died in June 2004.
In March 2012, Brother McKenna’s name appeared on rapevictimsofthecatholicchurch.com website. One former student from Bergen Catholic High recalled, “Brother McKenna, would walk up from behind me in the halls, put his arm around my shoulder and stick his tongue in my ear. This happened on at least two or three occasions before I began to watch out for him and playfully put on my guard. When I told my cousin, who was also in the Class of ’60-64, his response was: “Oh yeah, that’s Bro. McKenna, he does that to lots of guys”.
According to media reports, at least one allegation of child sexual abuse was made against Brother McKenna as his name was listed “in the bankruptcy matter In re: The Christian Brothers’ Institute, et al.” The sexual abuse allegedly occurred while he worked at Bergen Catholic High School in the early 1960s.
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order confirming the reorganization plan developed by a committee representing sexual abuse survivors and the Christian Brothers of Ireland, Inc. and The Christian Brothers’ Institute (the “Debtors”).
According to the bankruptcy plan, “the Debtors will pay approximately $13.5 million to fund a trust created for the purpose of distributing funds to the sexual abuse survivors. In addition, the Debtors have agreed to sell certain real estate assets with sale proceeds going primarily to the trust for distribution. An additional $3.2 million will be funded by an insurer of one of the Debtors.”
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.