The Diocese of Camden has named the Honorable Philip A. Gruccio, former Judge of the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, to head a nine-person board to assist the diocesan bishop in assessing the credibility of allegations of sexual abuse by clergy and other church personnel.
The board will act both retrospectively and prospectively on these matters. The board will also provide advice to the bishop regarding fitness for ministry for those who have been accused and will regularly review diocesan policies and procedures related to sexual abuse. The Board convened for the first time September 16.
In accord with Article 2 of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the U.S. bishops at their June meeting in Dallas, each diocese is to have a review board, the majority of whose members are lay people not employed by the diocese.
The nine members have been appointed for a renewable term of five years. “I thank Judge Gruccio for his willingness to serve on the Diocesan Review Board. His judicial experience and many years of service to this community will ensure that these cases are reviewed thoroughly and fairly so that young people are protected and offenders are removed from ministry in a way that respects the rights of all involved,” said Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Camden. “I thank also the able board members whose depth of experience and commitment will aid Judge Gruccio in this important work.”
The members of the Board: Honorable Philip A. Gruccio, Former Judge, Appellate Division, New Jersey Superior Court; Reverend William A. Hodge, Pastor, Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Atlantic City; Ms. Monica Ward, Deputy Director, Camden County Board of Social Services; Reverend Monsignor Eugene J. Fitzsimmons, J.C.D., Judge, Diocesan Tribunal; Ms. Carol Malcarney, Inter-Faith Caregivers, Haddonfield, NJ and member of First Baptist Church, Haddonfield, NJ; Philip Miraglia, Ph.D., Psychologist; Shirley Grasso, Esquire, Attorney, Hammonton, NJ; Sister Lorraine Klein, FMIJ, Principal – St. Margaret, Woodbury Heights and Guardian Angel Regional School, Gibbstown; Sister Grace Nolan, RSM, Former Executive Director of Atlantic & Cape May County Catholic Charities.