N.J. priest suspended from post for alleged sexting

JACKSON, N.J., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- A Catholic priest from Jackson, N.J., has been suspended from his post for allegedly sexting with a man he believed to be a 16-year-old boy.

The Rev. Matthew Riedlinger, 30, a former minister at St. Aloysius Church, was formally suspended by Bishop David M. O'Connell Thursday, the Asbury Park (N.J.) Press reported.

Allegations against Riedlinger were first made in 2011 by Timothy Schmalz, 23, of Washington, who told the Diocese of Trenton that the reverend sexually harassed him.

Schmalz told The (Newark) Star-Ledger that he posed as a 16-year-old boy and engaged in sexually explicit conversations with Riedlinger online and via text. Schmalz gave copies of those conversations to the diocese and a local prosecutor's office.

In August, 2012, Riedlinger was removed as priest of St. Aloysius Church and admitted into an inpatient treatment center, church officials said.

Riedlinger has been formally suspended from his work at the church.

"Although given ample opportunity to atone for his actions and to get help for his problems, he has failed to do so," O'Connell said.

"I had tried from the beginning to take concerted action, but also to get help for Father Riedlinger," O'Connell said. "But the more I have learned of his actions during and subsequent to outpatient and inpatient treatment, the more it has become clear that strong, resolute and permanent action must now be taken to protect others, particularly, our youth."