Morristown, New Jersey — Delbarton School, a prestigious all-boys Catholic preparatory institution, is facing increasing scrutiny as it prepares for a civil trial regarding allegations of sexual abuse involving a former student. The trial, stemming from a lawsuit filed by a former pupil known by the initials T.M., is scheduled to commence on September 2 in Morris County Superior Court.
T.M., who claims he was sexually assaulted by the Rev. Richard Lott when he was just 15 years old, alleges that the Benedictine order’s leadership was complicit in enabling the misconduct. The lawsuit targets Delbarton School and its affiliated St. Mary’s Abbey, a monastery closely connected to the institution. Both parties have been instructed by the court to refrain from discussing details of the case publicly.
The allegations against Lott date back to 1975, when T.M. asserts that Lott intoxicated him before assaulting him on campus. The lawsuit also claims that Lott routinely hosted underage gatherings for other students, further highlighting the alleged predatory environment. T.M. says he reached out to Abbott Brian Clarke in the aftermath, detailing his experience in a letter after graduating in 1977. However, Clarke’s subsequent actions—or lack thereof—have come under fire, as he reportedly did not report the allegations to authorities and admitted to destroying T.M.’s letter, believing it could tarnish the school’s reputation.
Clarke, who passed away in 2019, served as the abbot from 1975 to 1995, while Lott is presently 89 years old and no longer residing at the school. Efforts to promptly reach Lott and his attorney for comments have been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Delbarton’s current leadership has issued a statement expressing their inability to comment on ongoing litigation.
Historically, allegations of sexual abuse have permeated Delbarton’s community. Notably, in 2018, the school acknowledged that at least 30 individuals had come forward with claims against 13 former or current clergy and faculty members associated with the institution. Since then, over 30 additional allegations have surfaced, coinciding with New Jersey’s Child Victims Act, which allows individuals to file claims that arise beyond traditional statutes of limitations.
Notably, the past legal actions have not resulted in any admissions of liability by the Benedictine order. Several cases related to claims of abuse are still pending, although the institution’s representatives have declined to share precise figures.
Bill Crane, a former student who has been vocal about his own experiences, described the abhorrent language used by some of the monks, notably referring to former students claiming abuse as “termites.” This label underscores a troubling attitude towards victim survivors, exemplified in a recorded conversation where another monk spoke dismissively about ongoing concerns related to their behavior.
Despite assurances from Delbarton’s current administration regarding the supervision of monks living on campus, critics, including Crane, remain uneasy about the presence of accused individuals in proximity to students. The administration asserts these monks are closely monitored under a Safety Plan developed to ensure their limited interaction with the student body.
As the trial approaches, the allegations against Delbarton reveal a significant chapter in the ongoing dialogue surrounding clerical abuse within institutional settings, giving voice to survivors seeking acknowledgment and accountability for past wrongs.
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