The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled on June 16, 2025, allowing a grand jury to investigate allegations of clergy sexual abuse, reversing the Diocese of Camden's previous opposition to such proceedings.

In a statement, the Diocese expressed sorrow and support for victims, reaffirming its commitment to cooperate with the investigation.

Camden Bishop Joseph Williams noted that there was unanimous consent among stakeholders to end the opposition to the grand jury inquiry.

The ruling comes in the wake of the Child Victims Act, passed in December 2019, which temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to childhood abuse, leading to a surge of lawsuits against various organizations.

The court unanimously rejected the Diocese's argument that grand jury probes should be limited to public officials, emphasizing the state's right to investigate clergy abuse.

While the Supreme Court did not rule on the underlying abuse allegations, it clarified that a trial judge would review the grand jury's findings before they are made public.

This decision allows for oversight of the grand jury process, ensuring that findings are subject to judicial review before any public disclosure.

The investigation was initially prompted by a 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report that revealed over 1,000 cases of abuse, leading New Jersey to initiate its own inquiry into clergy abuse.

Survivors and advocates hailed the Supreme Court's decision as a significant victory, asserting that no institution, including the Catholic Church, is above the law.

Bishop Williams stated that the diocese will not obstruct the grand jury or any reports related to the investigation, signaling a shift in its approach.

The Camden Diocese had previously filed for bankruptcy due to numerous lawsuits related to clergy abuse and settled for $87.5 million in 2022, one of the largest settlements in the U.S. regarding such cases.

The court found no legal grounds for a lower judge's decision to halt the grand jury, allowing the investigation to proceed and marking a pivotal moment in addressing decades of sexual abuse within the church.