& =" Entering the proclaiming in faith and fove GISE> Archdiocese of Newark roca the mission of \egegg) OFFICE OF THE VICAR GENERAL & MODERATOR OF THE CURIA (Christ the Redeemer! October 20, 2015 Dear Members of the St. Rose of Lima and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Communities, Since October 2014, Monsignor George Trabold, the people of the Catholic communities of St. Rose of Lima and St. John the Evangelist parishes, and the Archdiocese of Newark, in general, have experienced a trial of patience and faith. As Pastor of St. Rose of Lima and former Pastor and Parochial Vicar at St. Jolin the Evangelist, and as a leader in many other ministries throughout his 42 years of service to the Church of Newark, Monsignor Trabold has deepened the faith of thousands of people here in northern New Jersey. Unfortunately, because allegations of inappropriate behavior were brought to our attention, the Archdiocese had no option but to undertake an extensive, time-consuming inquiry to both determine the facts of the matters and whether any action under Canon Law should be brought. During this time, Monsignor Trabold had agreed to step aside voluntarily from his ministry. We have been most gratefull for his understanding and his adherence to the procedures we must follow. While it was a necessary step in order to allow the inquiry to proceed, the absence of this Pastor from his flock unfortunately has caused rifis in your parish community, rifts that will take time to heal. Shortly after we received the allegations, we provided all relevant information concerning. the two (2) allegations to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. Members of that office reviewed the information and advised us that it would not undertake an investigation into the allegations. ‘The Prosecutor's reason’ for declining to investigate did not stem from any determination about the validity of the accusations. Rather, the Prosecutor declined to investigate because the alleged incidents occurred beyond the legal timeframe allowed for their action. The Prosecutor informed the Archdiocese of this decision, thus enabling the Archdiocese to begin its own inquiry according to Church Law. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was adopted by the Bishops of the United States in 2002. The Essential Norms, which makes elements of the Charter a “particular” law of the Church in the United States, received the “recognitio” or approval of the Holy See in 2002. ‘The Archdiocesan Review Board, an independent panel of mainly lay people who have particular expertise and investigate allegations for the Archdiocese, is the appropriate group. ARCHDIOCESAN CENTER 171 Clifton Avenue * Post Office Box 9500 * Newark: * New Jersey 07104-0500 (973) 497-4002 # Fax (975) 497-4595St. Rose of Lima and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Communities October 20, 2015 Page 2 ‘The Review Board’s role, however, is not to reach any determination about the allegations. Its sole role is to examine the facts presented to them about the allegations and to seek relevant information from individuals knowledgeable about the events and timeframes uring which the events are alleged to have taken place, Based on this information alone, the Review Board determines if there is sufficient information available for the Church to begin a formal proceeding and makes a recommendation to the Archbishop. After carefully weighing all of the information, the Review Board believes that the allegations against Monsignor Trabold cause some grave concems and has recommended to Archbishop Myers to seek approval from the Vatican for a formal Canonical proceeding to consider the facts. Archbishop Myers has accepted this recommendation, All information related to the allegations developed to date now is being forwarded to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in the Vatican. The CDF has the sole competence for resolving such allegations. Monsignor Trabold has been informed of this recommendation. He continues to assert his innocence. Yet, while the process moves into this next phase, which may involve Canonical action, he will remain out of ministry until that process is completed. There is no timeframe or target date for either the start or conclusion of this process given it pertains to the Vatican’s Congregation to make a decision in this matter. All proceedings are conducted confidentially. We know that this decision will cause more pain to the parishioners in the St. Rose of Lima and St. John the Evangelist communities, but in the spirit of committing the Church and her people to the protection of children and young people, we must act cautiously and prudently. We hope that, in the spirit of forgiveness and consolation that is a hallmark of the Church, parishioners will continue their patience in this next stage of the process, work together to begin the healing and restore the sense of community that has typified people of the Archdiocese, Equally important, and in the spirit of the Gospel, we ask that you will pray for the welfare of those who have brought the allegations to our attention. We will keep you informed as new information becomes available. = in Christ, Reverend ~The Nay Nydegger, Ed.D. ‘Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia