Sex abuse lawsuit against elite Delbarton school poised to be the first civil trial involving the Catholic Church in N.J.

Delbarton, an elite all-boys Catholic prep school in northern New Jersey where several former students have come forward to allege abuse at the hands of the Benedictine order’s monks, could soon find itself under a harsh spotlight

Delbarton, an elite all-boys Catholic prep school in northern New Jersey where several former students have come forward to allege abuse at the hands of the Benedictine order’s monks, could soon find itself under a harsh spotlight.

A trial resulting from a lawsuit by a former Delbarton student who says he was 15 when he was sexually abused by a monk is scheduled to begin Sept. 2 in Morris County Superior Court in what would be the first civil trial involving the Catholic church in the Garden State.

Identified by the initials T.M., the ex-student alleges he was assaulted by a former Delbarton teacher, the Rev. Richard Lott, and he’s accused the Benedictine order of “enabling that abuse,” according to court records.

The lawsuit names Delbarton School and its connected monastery, St. Mary’s Abbey as defendants. Lawyers from both sides have been barred by the judge from discussing the case, according to a letter the school sent to the greater school community, including students, their families, alumni and faculty on Aug. 15.

St. Mary’s Abbey.Bob Karp / USA Today Network fileT.M.’s case is one of dozens that have been filed against Delbarton, a college prep school in Morristown where the tuition is $48,725-a-year and that boasts well-known alumni like New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage, and the sons of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.