Condorson left Holy Trinity eventually - in June of 1998, sources close to the episode recall - but only after the family of the man making the allegations threatened to sue. The family says they ultimately decided not to file a lawsuit. "I never wanted money," the man making the allegations told CNA.
Bootkoski was vicar general of the Newark archdiocese when that allegation was reported.
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Newark told CNA: "The Archdiocese investigated fully the allegation at Holy Trinity according to the protocols in place in the Archdiocese at that time for allegations of misconduct involving adults. The allegation could not be substantiated. The individual who made the accusation did state that nothing sexual had occurred. During that time, Fr. De Condorpusa underwent evaluation by competent professionals who were aware of the accusation. Those professionals concluded that there was no reason to limit or halt his ministry."
The Newark archdiocese added that "since Bishop Bootkoski of Metuchen was Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Newark at the time of the allegation, the Diocese was aware of both the allegation and the results of the investigation."
The Diocese of Metuchen provided CNA with a statement saying that the alleged incident happened while Condorson was a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, and was investigated by that diocese.
"The Archdiocese had an investigation which included interviews with both Fr. Condorson and the claimant, both adults. As Vicar General, Bishop Bootkoski said he was informed of the investigation by the pastor of the parish and a former pastor, also a Vicar General for the archdiocese, who both had knowledge of the situation. Based on the testimony of the two men, at that time, Bishop Bootkoski says he was informed they had conflicting accounts of what had occurred, both lacking any hard facts. The claimant, who was an adult, and his family did not pursue the matter," the diocese said.
In 2008, a New Jersey man wrote to Archbishop John Myers of Newark and to Bootkoski, alleging that in the summer of 1997 Condoron asked him for help with computer repairs in the Holy Trinity rectory. He said that after the work was completed, the priest "requested that I stay and have a glass of wine with him."
"Father De Condorpusa sat next to me on the love seat and took off his collar and shoes. We briefly discussed the repair of his computer when suddenly he placed his arm around me and tried to kiss me. I was shocked, got up, and asked him what he was doing."
"He said to me, 'I thought you wanted it, I like older men,'" the man alleged.
The Archdiocese of Newark told CNA that "the only correspondence in the Archdiocese of Newark's files during the year 2008 relates to Fr. De Condorpusa's request for incardination into the Metuchen Diocese."
The Diocese of Metuchen told CNA that it did receive the 2008 allegation, and reported the matter to the county prosecutor soon after being informed. It also said its "Diocesan Response Officer" contacted "the accuser to offer to meet to discuss the letter and provided the phone number of the proper county prosecutor for reporting Fr. Condorson."
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"Having met with the accuser and no additional information being provided, and no action being taken by the prosecutor, in light of Father's denial there was no basis for continuing the inquiry."
The Diocese of Metuchen told CNA this week that Condorson would be withdrawn from parish ministry at the directive of its current bishop, Rev. James Checchio.
"Bishop Checchio, given the challenges involved in reviewing the allegations that are two decades old, directed Father Condorson to step aside from his parish responsibilities pending the diocese's review of the entire matter," a diocesan spokesperson told CNA.
Priests of Metuchen have praised the leadership of Checchio, who took over the diocese in 2016. Speaking off-record, several area priests have said told CNA they find his leadership trustworthy, and a change from Bootkoski's administration.
A clerical source inside the diocese told CNA Condorson's close relationship with Bootkoski made the priest difficult to trust.
In response to questions about their relationship, the Diocese of Metuchen told CNA that Bootkoski "categorically denies" any accusations of impropriety in the relationship.