Monument To Sexual Abuse Victims Destroyed In New Jersey
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - A monument like no other has been destroyed in Mendham.
WCBS 880's Alex Silverman On The Story
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In 2003, Patrick Kelly's brother, Jim, committed suicide by getting hit by an oncoming train in Morristown, New Jersey.
At the funeral, an idea was born for a memorial for those sexually abused by priests. Patrick told WCBS 880's Alex Silverman that his brother was a victim.
"My brother being one of them. Two other brothers including myself are just a few more," he said.
It was black stone reminder of where the abuse happened all those years ago.
"The only such monument of its kind on the grounds of a Catholic church," said Patrick.
It stood there on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church until this past weekend when 37-year-old Gordon Ellis allegedly smashed it to bits with a sledgehammer.
"Something that stood as a Gibraltar of strength and healing was gone," said Patrick.
Police aren't saying if they know why Ellis might have done it.
Patrick says he'll fight to make sure the monument is replaced exactly as it was.
"This needs to be recognized. This can't go on. Our children need to be safe," he said.
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