Delbarton Abuse Victim Seeks Gag Order Release

St. Mary's Abbey Monk Timothy Brennan pled guilty to criminal sexual abuse of a Delbarton student in 1987.

Another person has come forward in the ongoing saga of allegations against Delbarton School and St. Mary's Abbey involving years of alleged sexual abuse. Except in this case, the person coming forward did not make a new allegation. But, for "John Doe," as his attorney Gregory Gianforcaro referred to him, a confidentiality agreement in place since settling in 1988 has kept the victim silent following former Monk Timothy Brennan's guilty plea in 1987. On Friday, in front of the Morris County Courthouse, Gianforcaro said his client wants to break the silence that has been legally required of him for 24 years. The confidentiality agreement was, according to the school and abbey's attorneys at the time, in the best interests of the school, …

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Two Alleging Sexual Abuse at Delbarton to File Suit

Press conference scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday outside the Morris County Courthouse, in Morristown.

The attorney for several men alleging sexual abuse by former Delbarton School headmaster Luke Travers, and another St. Mary's Abbey monk, is scheduled to hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday in front of the Morris County Courthouse, where he will formally announce that his clients have filed a lawsuit against Delbarton and St. Mary's Abbey, which runs the Morris Township-based Catholic school. According to a press release issued by Phillipsburg attorney Gregory Gianforcaro on Monday, the suit refers to "abuse by Rev. Luke Travers, OSB, former headmaster at Delbarton School and Rev. Justin Capato, OSB, current parochial vicar at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish," in Cedar Knolls.  The press release notes that "at least three …

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Allegations Mount Against Ex-Delbarton Chief

Abbey says investigations continue, no word yet on any charges.

A victims advocate says at least five people are now accusing a former Delbarton School headmaster of making sexual advances toward them. The latest is a former Morris County resident who now lives in North Carolina. In a notarized statement released by advocate Patrick J. Marker, the alleged victim says the Rev. Luke Travers "kissed my neck and then put his cheek on my cheek" during an intimate confessional session. "Only recently have I begun to understand the effect that Father Luke’s actions had in my life. I do not wish similar pain or confusion on any person," the alleged victim says in the letter. In January, Marker said that alleged victim had not filed charges with any agency. It was not clear if that remained the case. Marker—…

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Delbarton Days: News Courtesy of the School

Quake Reactions From St. Mary's Abbey/Delbarton

Breaking–make that shaking–news.

This just in from St. Mary's Abbey... At approximately 2 p.m., on Tuesday, 23 August 2011, two tremors were felt at St. Mary's Abbey/Delbarton. "At first it seemed as if someone with a heavy foot were climbing the stairs," noted Fr. Edward Seton, who was working at his computer in his room in Vincent House. "It reminded me of the Carole King song: I feel the earth move under my feet!" Another monk reported it was felt in Old Main. An alum working in New York City called to inquire if the tremors were felt at Delbarton and said there were numerous reports of precautionary building evacuations in Manhattan and environs. On the other hand, our esteemed headmaster Br. Paul Diveny, working diligently in his office on the ground floor of Trinity…

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