Recent court rulings may soon reveal details regarding clergy abuse at New Jersey’s prestigious Delbarton School.
Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, who will reach mandatory retirement age in May 2027, previously served as a teacher and leader at Morristown’s All-Boy Catholic School.
There are troubling claims that at least 30 students had reported sexual abuse allegations against clergy affiliated with Delbarton, highlighting a painful pattern of abuse by Benedictine monks.
In June, New Jersey’s Supreme Court ruled that a new investigation into statewide clergy abuse could move forward. Insiders suggest this will also address allegations of cover-ups in private schools.
The Camden Diocese had opposed these court investigations for seven years but indicated in May that it would cease its resistance, as reported.
“It seems reasonable to include Delbarton in this investigation,” said New Jersey Sen. Joe Vitale. “It’s crucial to understand how leadership was involved during the period of alleged abuse.”
In Pennsylvania, a similar investigation in 2018 revealed that over 1,000 children had been victims of clergy abuse, marking it as one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind in the U.S.
Delbarton, a Benedictine Catholic middle and high school, charges tuition fees of $48,725 per year and counts notable alumni among its ranks, including the son of “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage.
However, for about 15 years, the school has faced scrutiny due to allegations against multiple clergymen, including a former principal.
More recently, a lawsuit from a former seventh grader alleges he was raped and abused by several monks back in the 1970s while at Delbarton.
Lorenzo had earlier held a significant position at St. Mary’s Abbey, which oversees the school, from 1995 to 2002, and was part of the Abuse Review Board until 2008.
A spokesperson for Delbarton noted that Lorenzo was not involved in board decisions and did not respond to further inquiries.
In 2018, Delbarton acknowledged in public letters that 30 victims had accused 13 clergymen of abuse.
Yet, many survivors have criticized the school’s efforts to silence them. Tom Crane, a victim who settled a lawsuit in 2018, described his experience as a “blackmail nightmare” after he and his brother came forward about their abuse by two monks in the 1970s.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office stated it cannot confirm details about the ongoing investigation, indicating that the Archdiocese of Newark has not reached out for collaboration.
In 2020, Lorenzo was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Newark by the late Pope Francis, along with two other bishops.
As Cardinal Tobin approaches retirement in 2027, insiders suggest Lorenzo could be a contender for the position.
One organization, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is advocating against Lorenzo’s promotion, claiming he was involved in covering up abuses at Delbarton.
Mark Crawford, a coordinator for SNAP in New Jersey, remarked, “It’s unacceptable for those who held authority during these abuses to face further advancement. Our members call for transparency and accountability — under Lorenzo’s watch, the children suffered at the hands of those who should have protected them.”
