Hank D’Alessandro

[Halldan1]

Board Affairs and University Strategy

I write to you as Chair of the Seton Hall University Board of Regents and an alumnus who dearly loves our university and admires the person now leading it, Monsignor Joseph Reilly. Recent news stories have falsely and unfairly portrayed him. In 2018, following allegations of harassment of seminarians two decades earlier by the former archbishop, Theodore McCarrick, the Board and University commissioned a comprehensive review by the law firm Latham & Watkins. The review depended on the voluntary participation of many individuals, assured of confidentiality, in accordance with Title IX. The Board reviewed the findings, and with the University, approved the implementation of personnel changes and improvements to the Seminary – University structure, and University compliance systems, including investing significant resources in its Title IX staff and policies. In August 2019, the key findings were announced, as well as the proactive measures endorsed by the Board, to the extent permissible under Title IX and University policy. Following its review, the Board enthusiastically supported Monsignor Reilly, who participated in the Latham interviews, in holding leadership positions, and he remained in his role as Rector/Dean for the final 2.5 years of his second 5-year term. Thereafter, he applied for and took a sabbatical for which he was entitled to apply under the terms of his contract. Upon his return in 2023 he was promoted to Vice Provost of Academics and Catholic Identity. In 2024, after a national search, the Board elected Monsignor Reilly as the University’s 22nd president. The Board has stood by and continues to stand by Monsignor and trusts his proven record of effective leadership. He is a faithful servant and the right person to lead Seton Hall. On a personal note, I have known Monsignor Reilly for many years and witnessed his commitment to academic and student success and the infusion of our Catholic identity into all aspects of university life. As a priest, he has worked tirelessly to increase faith, hope, and peace in our community. His leadership has produced scores of dedicated priests who have done the same. Monsignor Reilly is a person of the highest integrity who has always acted to put the needs and well-being of others first. As the Seton Hall motto says, Hazard Zet Forward, and so we shall move forward under his leadership. I look forward to Monsignor Joseph Reilly leading our beloved University for many years to come. Sincerely, Hank D’Alessandro ‘85 Chair Seton Hall University Board of Regents

 

[MichiganStoleTitle]

Politico’s response, FWIW

Seton Hall did not respond to a message asking what specific news stories were false. It has also not sought a correction to POLITICO’s reporting.

Reilly was not accused of abuse himself. But investigators in 2019 recommended, pursuant to a responsive action plan the school’s governing body adopted, that Reilly be removed as a seminary leader and member of university boards, according to interviews and documents previously reviewed by POLITICO.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/23/seton-hall-doubles-down-on-its-new-president-00200340

 

[Seton75]

Sometimes following public opinion is a knee jerk reaction and sometimes it is wise.

If we call the reports erroneous, we should give examples.

The info about how he reacted to the beach house stuff made me cringe. Some bad shit is going down upstairs so I am staying on the 1st floor. And keeping my mouth shut. Regardless of the morality involved, I always thought chastity for priests was a kind of sacred vow and breaking that vow to be a sin. But what do I know. If friends of mine were doing bad stuff upstairs, and I decided to sleep on the couch and keep quiet, I hope that decision would cause me shame whenever I thought of it.

I hope I have in incomplete or incorrect impression of this situation in my head. But I dont feel any better about it than I did yesterday.

 

[SHUSA]

gives off the vibe of "we have reviewed ourselves and concluded we did nothing wrong"

 

[SHUSA]

gives off the vibe of "we have reviewed ourselves and concluded we did nothing wrong"

to this point it's like the first episode in this season of severance. we got caught and now will be implementing major reforms like new snacks!

 

[Piratz]

What a disaster. Toxic. From chastity vows to pedophilia. What an institution. You’d think it was the Middle Ages. Horrible to be lumped into this subject matter, what are we thinking?

I hope the guy is innocent and knew of nothing… Highly unlikely.