Former Wyckoff Priests Accused Of Sex Abuse

WYCKOFF, NJ — Four priests who once served at St. Elizabeth parish, including two who were 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 63 NJ Priests Accused Of Child Sexual Abuse)

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

• Kevin Gugliotta, born 1962, ordained 1996. He has multiple alleged victims and has been permanently removed from the ministry
• David Ernst, born 1926, ordained 1954. He had multiple alleged victims
• Charles Hartling, born 1941, ordained 1979. He had multiple alleged victims
• Michael C. Fugee, born 1961, ordained 1994. He has one alleged victim and has been permanently removed from the ministry

Gugliotta, who most recently served at a parish in Mahwah, pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in March 2017. He was charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography. (See related: Mahwah Priest Pleads Guilty To Child Porn Possession: Report)

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

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