Former Ridgewood Priests Accused Of Sex Abuse

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Five priests who once served in the village, including one who was permanent removed from the ministry, were revealed to have been "credibly accused" of child sex abuse, a list released by the Catholic Church Wednesday shows.

The Newark Archdiocese made its list public on Wednesday morning. (See related article: Here's The List Of 186 NJ Priests Accused Of Child Sexual Abuse)

According to the Newark Archdiocese, priests with Ridgewood connections are:

• John Capparelli, born in 1948, ordained in 1980. He was a temporary chaplain at Valley Hospital. He had multiple alleged victims and was permanently removed from the ministry
• Eugene Heyndricks, born in 1942, ordained in 1981. He served at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. He had multiple alleged victims.
• Robert Gibney, born 1927, ordained 1954. He served at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. He had multiple alleged victims.
• John Komar, born 1937 ordained 1964. He was chaplain at Valley Hospital. He had multiple alleged victims.
• Robert Zasacki, born 1940, ordained 1967. He served at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. He had one alleged victim.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin, the archbishop of Newark, said the list includes all those from New Jersey who were credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors dating back to 1940. Read his full statement here.

The dioceses are undertaking this action in coordination with the Attorney General of New Jersey's ongoing task force examining the issue of clergy sexual abuse.

In the same statement, the Archdiocese of Newark and the Dioceses of Camden, Trenton, Paterson and Metuchen said they are committed to the establishment of a "Victim Compensation and Counseling Program."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Image via Shutterstock