Seton Hall’s President Amid Scandal: Cardinal Tobin Faces Scrutiny

NEWARK, N.J. — Monsignor Joseph Reilly, recently appointed president of Seton Hall University, is facing scrutiny following revelations about his handling of sexual abuse allegations during his previous role as rector of its affiliated seminary. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, who presided over Reilly’s investiture last November, now finds himself amidst a controversy that raises questions about transparency and accountability in the Archdiocese of Newark.

During his investiture ceremony, Reilly spoke passionately about his faith and commitment to the university’s mission, referring to himself as ‘the Joe Reilly trifecta’ by emphasizing his love for Jesus Christ, his role as a priest, and his dedication to Seton Hall. He called for accountability from the audience, asking civic leaders and ecclesiastical officials to hold him responsible for his leadership.

However, recent leaks of internal documents suggest that Cardinal Tobin had doubts about Reilly’s suitability for the presidency, particularly regarding his alleged failure to properly address sexual misconduct allegations involving seminarians. According to a 2019 independent investigation, Reilly was reportedly aware of incidents of harassment but did not report them in violation of Title IX policies.

Politico reported that two letters from a university task force recommended Reilly’s removal from his previous positions within the seminary and the university’s boards due to his failure to act. Yet, Seton Hall’s leadership, including Tobin, denies any wrongdoing on Reilly’s part, claiming that the situation has been misrepresented.

“Joe, I have no doubt that you’re the right person, at the right time, for Seton Hall,” Tobin stated during the investiture, but public opinion is now split, with some calling for greater transparency in how the sexual misconduct allegations were handled.

Seton Hall University is unique as it directly serves the Archdiocese of Newark, making Reilly’s appointment even more significant amidst lingering trust issues within the Catholic community, particularly related to the high-profile case of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

Despite the challenges presented by the allegations, some Newark priests commend Reilly for his zeal and vision for Catholic renewal at Seton Hall. They argue he is well-positioned to unify the university following the tumultuous presidency of Joseph Nyre, who resigned in 2023 after conflicts with university leadership.

However, the specter of the 2019 investigation still looms. Although Reilly has defended his actions, the university has acknowledged that the seminarian dismissed under Reilly’s oversight remained enrolled at Seton Hall, creating further complexities related to the allegations and Title IX compliance.

As the Archdiocese grapples with the fallout from these revelations, many Catholics express skepticism about the institution’s commitment to transparency. “By faith, not by sight” was Tobin’s motto during the investiture, but with lingering questions and the lack of clarity surrounding the issue, many parishioners demand more than mere assurances and press releases.

The coming months will be critical for Reilly, the university, and Tobin as they seek to navigate the growing complexity of this situation and prove their commitment to accountability and transparency.