Father Allen Stepien
Diocese of Paterson
Ordained: 1965
Removed: 2002
Assigned as follows:
- St. Rose of Lima (East Hanover, NJ)
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Morristown, NJ)
- St. Anthony (Hawthorne, NJ)
- St. Philip the Apostle (Clifton, NJ)
- St. Mark the Evangelist (Long Valley, NJ)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Allen Stepien:
According to media reports, in April 2002, Fr. Allen Stepien was placed on administrative leave, due to multiple accusations that he had sexually abused several minors in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In 2003, the Diocese of Paterson review board deemed the accusations against Stepien to be credible, recommending his removal from ministry. The Diocese then sent the case to the Vatican, requesting a church trial to remove Stepien from the priesthood.
In 2009, according to the Official Catholic Directory, Stepien is listed as a retired priest.
Stepien’s name appears on the Diocese of Paterson February 2019 list of priests credibly accused of sexually abusing minors. Stating only that Stepien was the subject of “multiple” allegations of abuse, the Diocese of Paterson has not released any details about the allegations, including the exact number of allegations and Stepien’s assignments at the time of the abuse.
Stepien, now in his eighties, is believed to be residing in Clifton, New Jersey. His current status as a priest is unknown – the Diocese of Paterson has not said if he was ever laicized.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Paterson. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Paterson, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Paterson now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to [email protected] to discuss your options today.