Father Joseph Farrell
Diocese of Trenton
Ordained: 1974
Leave of Absence: 2021
Assignment History:
- 1974: St. Joseph (Toms River, NJ)
- Unknown: St. Bonaventure (Lavalette, NJ)
- 1983-1987: St. Mary of the Lakes (Medford, NJ)
- 1987-1989: St. Ann (Keansburg, NY)
- 1989-1995: Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes (Atlantic Highlands, NJ)
- 1996: Holy Eucharist (Tabernacle, NJ)
- 1999 – 2021: St. Isidore the Farmer (New Egypt, NJ)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Joseph Farrell:
In April 2021, a civil lawsuit was filed against the Diocese of Trenton, alleging that Fr. Joseph Farrell sexually abused a minor in 1989 while working at Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. The victim, now a 44-year-old-man, claims that Farrell groomed him for sexual abuse and then abused him on more than 50 occasions while he was a student at the now-closed St. Agnes Catholic School.
According to media reports, the victim states that Farrell would massage his shoulders after basketball games and offered to write letters of recommendation so he could get into a good high school. Farrell served as Pastor at the time of these alleged incidents. The Pastor allegedly rubbed the D.A.’s genitals when he was assigned to bring paperwork to the rectory and on at least one occasion performed oral sex on the boy, who was then 13 or 14 years old, according to the civil complaint.
The lawsuit then documents a series of incidents that Farrell allegedly groped him, performed oral sex on him, masturbated in front of him, and then raped him. Farrell allegedly told him that this is how boys get what they wanted and that he could help “fix” his grades. The man claims that when in 7th grade, he went to the school’s principal and told him that Farrell made him feel uncomfortable, but no reports were ever written up or dealt with.
In April 2021, Farrell, a pastor at St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in New Egypt, was placed on leave by the Diocese of Trenton after the suit was received.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Trenton in New Jersey. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in New Jersey, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Trenton 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.