NJ Priest Testifies Via Satellite

An 85-year-old priest testified by satellite hookup Monday for a hearing where he's accused of child sex abuse in the diocese of Camden decades ago. The priest at the center of the controversy was on the stand Monday – although he remained near his Florida home.

Msgr. Philip Rigney/witness: "I denied I did anything to those children to Bishop Guilfoyle."

Because of health problems, Monsignor Philip Rigney remained near his Florida home and testified via a video conference link. He is accused of molesting Philip Young and his brother Robert when they were teens in the 1970s and 80s. The 85-year old Rigney indicated he had been cleared of the allegations by the late Bishop George Guilfoyle, 18 years ago.

But the Young's attorney, Stephen Rubino, directed Rigney to a hand-written note by Guilfoyle that reads Rigney did not deny the accusations by the Youngs. The priest seemed puzzled.

Msgr. Philip Rigney/witness: "I understood he wasn't holding me responsible...but he wrote something different."

Stephen Rubino/plaintiff's attorney: "There were accusations...he was given a new parish." A spokesperson for the law firm representing the Camden Diocese called Rubino's efforts Monday a show that in no way explains why the Youngs should be allowed to go forward with their case – years past the state's statute of limitations.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: 6 ABC-AP