Free, Private Case Review for Victims Alleging Abuse by Roman Catholic Priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland
To date, the Roman Catholic Church has designated over $3.2B in compensation for sexual abuse victims by U.S. clergy members—
In addition, recently revised Bishop Accountability laws may allow civil claims to be charged against Roman Catholic Priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland for years after the fact, for:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Injunctive relief
While the statute of limitations has been temporarily relaxed to allow victims additional time to react, there’s a definite timetable to be followed—the experienced team at Ben Crump Law protects your opportunity for justice & potential compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Baltimore, call (888) 899-0065
Maryland DA: Baltimore’s Archdiocese Rocked With Accusations of Sexual Abuse of Children by Roman Catholic Priests
“For decades, survivors reported sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic priests, and for decades the Church covered up the abuse rather than holding the abusers accountable and protecting its congregations,” reveals a court document outlining the crimes leveled at Baltimore’s priests.
The report entitled “Clergy Abuse in Maryland” names 115 priests prosecuted for sexual abuse along with many having been “credibly accused” of sexual abuse by the archdiocese.
A Maryland report found that “no parish was safe,” and “the Archdiocese of Baltimore was no exception.”
Maryland’s Attorney General revealed the following info:
- Almost 160 Roman Catholic priests were accused of sexual and physical abuse;
- More than 600 child victims were affected;
- The ages of victims were from preschool to young adulthood; and,
- The abuse occurred over the last 80 years.
An additional 43 priests were accused of sexual abuse, but were not identified publicly by the archdiocese.
According to David Lorenz of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, the news of the report and the number of victims were “absolutely horrendous.”
“Once again, the church has lied about the number of abusive priests,” Lorenz said in a statement.
Maryland Ag Address ‘Pervasive’ Sex Abuse Within Baltimore Archdiocese
The Maryland Archdiocese is the oldest Roman Catholic diocese in the US.
Numerous similar revelations have rocked the Catholic Church in recent years and only add to the growing evidence from parishes across the country.
According to the report, many parishes, schools, and congregations had more than one abuser at the same time.
The St. Mark Parish in Catonsville had 11 accused abusers living and working there between 1964 and 2004.
One deacon admitted to molesting over 100 children, while another was allowed to make a variety of excuses to avoid facing abuse allegations.
In a statement posted online, Baltimore Archbishop William Lori apologized to the victims and said the report “details a reprehensible time in the history of this Archdiocese” and one “that will not be covered up, ignored, or forgotten.”
The nearly 500-page document includes numerous instances of leaders taking steps to protect accused clergy, including:
- Allowing them to retire with financial support rather than be ousted;
- Letting them remain in the ministry; and,
- Failing to report alleged abuse to law enforcement.
The state legislature passed a bill to end a statute of limitations on abuse-related civil lawsuits, a positive gesture of support for survivors and supported by Gov. Wes Moore.
Currently, a Maryland clergy abuse attorney will recommend that child sex abuse victims can’t sue after age 37—this bill eliminates the age limit and allows for retroactive lawsuits.
For survivors unsatisfied with the Baltimore clergy’s response to their detailed stories of abuse, the team at Ben Crump Law offers a free, private case review.
Call or text (888) 899-0065 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
