Father Benedict Worry
Ordained: 1987
Removed: 2012
Assigned as follows:
- 1987-1988: Unknown
- 1989-2017: St. Mary's Abbey (Morristown, NJ)
- 1996-1997: Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Trenton (Princeton, NJ)
- 1997: St. James Church (Pennington, NJ)
- 1998-2010: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church (Linden, NJ)
- 2004-2008: Deanery: Little Flower Parish (Union County Southeast, NJ)
- 2012: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church (Linden, NJ)
- 2013-2019: Unknown
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Fr. Benedict Worry:
Fr. Benedict Worry was a member of the Brothers of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (F.S.R.). He worked in the Diocese of Reno in Nevada and taught at Manogue High School from 1974 to 1978 as director of the CYO program. In 1987, he left the order and was ordained a Benedictine priest. He later taught at Delbarton School, a private college prep school for boys, run by the Benedictine monks in Morristown for 18 years. He was also the chaplain for the Linden Police Department.
According to media reports, in January 2012, Worry was removed from assignment and sent to St. Mary's Abbey after an allegation of sexual misconduct with an individual was reported in the 1990s. In March 2012, four alleged abuse victims filed a civil lawsuit against Delbarton School and St. Mary's Abbey. In June 2012, another man joined the existing lawsuit to allege abuse in the 1980s by Worry.
The amended complaint said Worry "sexually assaulted, sexually abused and/or had sexual contact" with the accuser "on numerous occasions". In one instance, after a night of heavy drinking with the monk, the accuser said he woke up to find Worry fondling him. He was 16 years old when the abuse took place.
No criminal charges were filed due to the statute of limitations. Worry's current whereabouts are unknown.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Paterson. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Paterson, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Paterson now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.