On August 15, the New York Post shared an article on the New Jersey State Attorney General's investigation of abuse in Catholic dioceses and institutions in New Jersey that prominently mentioned Delbarton School and a well-respected, longtime member of the St. Mary's Abbey monastic community Bishop Elias Lorenzo, O.S.B.

In response to the article, on August 15 Headmaster Fr. Michael Tidd, O.S.B. sent an email to the Delbarton School community in which he wrote,  "In today's (August 15) New York Post, an article appeared on the ongoing New Jersey State Attorney General's investigation of abuse in Catholic dioceses and institutions in New Jersey.  The article also references past allegations of abuse at Delbarton School.  You can read the article here.

The article includes several unchallenged statements about Delbarton from past claimants and their attorney that we have seen in print many times before.  Nothing in this article reveals anything new about any claims that are before us presently, nor past claims that have been settled."

Fr. Michael also referenced Bishop Elias Lorenzo's impactful leadership role in abuse prevention, information that the School had submitted in response to Post reporter Peter Senzamici's original inquiry prior to the article's appearance. 

Fr. Michael wrote, "The Post reporter left out any reference to the Abbey and School’s Praesidium accreditation that we had shared with him.  Praesidium is an independent risk management organization that audits and reviews our policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for everyone on our campus, adults and young people alike, as well as those that guide how we handle accusations of abuse.  Praesidium has established rigorous standards of care for organizations of all types to follow, and accredits organizations that meet its standards of safety.  Both St. Mary's Abbey and Delbarton School are accredited by Praesidium, a level of oversight that Bishop Elias Lorenzo, O.S.B., was instrumental in instituting at the Abbey and School.  In addition, Bishop Elias helped to establish the first independent review board under the leadership of the late New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Marie Garibalidi to resolve such cases.

Fr. Michael also reminded readers of the many measures currently in place at St. Mary's Abbey and Delbarton School to prevent abuse of any kind. He wrote, "As we begin the academic year at Delbarton School, we invite you to click the links provided to the St. Mary’s Abbey and Delbarton School Safe Environment sites to learn more about how both institutions protect the safety and welfare of St. Mary's Abbey worshipers and guests, and of Delbarton School students and staff. Described here are the procedures we follow when we learn of any potential issue regarding sexual harassment, bullying, or abuse of any kind."

Fr. Michael concluded his email with this important reminder: "Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of the young people entrusted to our care, and of the adults, monks and lay men and women, who minister and live here at Delbarton.  As you will see when you review our Safe Environment policies, St. Mary’s Abbey and Delbarton School are safe places for our students and staff to learn and grow in mind, body and spirit."

Finally, he encouraged anyone in the Delbarton community with questions or concerns on the topic of safety to speak with him, and he concluded his email by thanking members of the Delbarton community for their understanding and prayerful support. 

Delbarton had shared a follow-up statement with the New York Post and other media outlets that had repeated the Post story's allegations. We were gratified that one, Patch.com, offered a more balanced perspective by sharing Delbarton's statement in an August 18 online article. You can read the Patch article here.