Former Priest In MD Left Off Sex Abuse List; DC, Baltimore Lists – Silver Spring, MD Patch

SILVER SPRING, MD — A former Catholic priest has been on the Maryland sex offender registry since 2005 after serving time in prison for possession of child pornography and then violating the terms of his probation by having contact with children. But Richard J. Poster, 54, who lives in Silver Spring, was not on a church list of priests credibly accused of sexual abuse until this month.

Poster, who admitted masturbating in the bushes near a church school, was only added to a list of clergy members credibly accused of child sexual abuse after The Associated Press asked why he was not included, according to an investigation by the news service. Despite the church’s release of nearly 5,300 names in recent years, victim advocates say the lists are incomplete.

An AP analysis found more than 900 clergy members nationwide accused of child sexual abuse who were missing from lists. The AP reached that number by matching the public diocesan lists against a database of accused priests tracked by the group BishopAccountability.org and then scouring bankruptcy documents, lawsuits, settlement information, grand jury reports and media accounts.

More than a hundred of the former clergy members not listed by dioceses or religious orders had been charged with sexual crimes, including rape, solicitation and receiving or viewing child pornography. Church officials say that without an admission of guilt, they have to weigh releasing a name against harming the reputation of priests who may have been falsely accused and facing lawsuits from those who maintain their innocence.

Poster’s name was not included when the Davenport, Iowa, diocese issued its first list of two dozen credibly accused priests in 2008. The diocese said his crime of possessing more than 270 videos and images of child pornography on his work laptop was not originally a qualifying offense because there wasn’t a direct victim. In 2011 child pornography was added to the church’s abuse charter.

Poster, the former director of liturgy and publisher of the Davenport diocese’s newspaper, violated the terms of his probation. He admitted he had contact with minors at a bookstore and near an elementary school, according to federal court records unsealed at the AP’s request. While the diocese promised it would update its list of perpetrators as required under a court-approved bankruptcy plan, it never included Poster.

“It was an oversight,” diocese spokesman Deacon David Montgomery told the AP.

How To Report Abuse

The archdiocese of Washington, D.C., asks anyone aware of suspected sexual misconduct by any clergy, employee, or volunteer of the archdiocese to report it to the authorities or contact the archdiocese at 301-853-5302.

If someone associated with the church, including clergy, employees, or volunteers of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, is suspected of abuse, then the suspected abuse must also be reported to the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth at 410-547-5348 or the Victims Assistance Line at 1-866-417-7469.

Allegations of abuse involving bishops of the Archdiocese of Baltimore should be made both to civil authorities and then to the secure EthicsPoint site here. Reports about bishops are sent directly to retired judges who are not employees of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and serve on the Independent Review Board.For more information, click here.

See below for a list of priests in the Baltimore, Washington and Arlington archdioceses who have been accused.

Washington, DC Diocese List Of Accused Priests:

Francis A. Benham
Ordained 1963
Abuse first reported to ADW 1979
Removed from ADW ministry 1979 (treated and cleared for return to ministry)
Accepted assignment Diocese of Columbus, OH 1979-85
Abandoned priesthood 1985
Arrested and convicted 2005
Removed from Clerical State 2005
Salvatore F. Bucca
Ordained 1976
Abuse (possibly sexual) first reported to ADW 1978
Removed from ministry 1978
Raymond C. Callahan
Ordained 1963
Abuse first reported to ADW 1971
Removed from ministry 1971
Convicted 1971
Removed from Clerical State 1977
Died 1996
C. Thomas Chleboski
Ordained 1988
Abuse first reported to ADW 1990
Removed from ministry 1990
Arrested 1990; convicted 1991
Removed from Clerical State 1996
Joseph B. Coyne

Ordained 1945
Abuse reported to ADW 1992
Retired 1994
Faculties removed 1995
Died 1999
Russell Lowell Dillard
Ordained 1978
Abuse first reported to ADW 2002
Removed from ministry 2002
Removed from Clerical State 2003

R. Joseph Dooley
Ordained 1960
Abuse first reported to ADW 1991
Removed from parish ministry 1992
Coordinator for Sick and Retired Priests 1992-1995
Retired without faculties 1995
Died 2002

John W. Eccleston
Ordained 1955
Sexual misconduct reported to ADW 1960 (sent for evaluation and treatment, cleared for return 1962)
Served in Diocese of St. Cloud, MN beginning 1962; Incardinated in St. Cloud, MN 1973
Arrested and convicted in Minnesota 1982
Died 2012

James A. Finan
Ordained 1959
Abuse first reported to ADW 1996
Removed from ministry 1996
Arrested and convicted 1997, 2003
Died 2013

Roger P. Gallagher
Ordained 1954
Abuse first reported to ADW 1992
Removed from ministry 1992
Died 2012

Edward T. Hartel
Ordained 1962
Abuse first reported to ADW 1995
Removed from ministry 1995
Arrested 1995; tried and acquitted
Died 2013

William E. Krouse
Ordained 1973
Abandoned priesthood 1987
Abuse first reported to ADW 1996
Arrested and convicted 1996

James V. Lannon
Ordained 1931
Abuse first reported to ADW 1953
Suspended 1953, 1954 (temporarily removed, evaluated, returned to ministry)
Permanently removed from parish ministry 1958
Died 1984

Paul E. Lavin
Ordained 1969
Abuse first reported to ADW 1997 (placed on leave and evaluated; returned to ministry after police investigated without charges)
Permanently removed from ministry after additional abuse reported 2002
Removed from Clerical State 2004

Thomas W. Lyons
Ordained 1948
Died 1988
Abuse reported to ADW 2002
Peter M. McCutcheon
Ordained 1979
Abuse first reported to ADW 1986
Removed from ministry 1986
Arrested and convicted 1986
Removed from Clerical State 2004
Arthur J. O’Brien
Ordained 1983
Abuse first reported to ADW 1983
Removed from ADW ministry 1984 (treated and cleared for return to ministry)
Accepted assignments in Alabama and Hawaii 1985-89
Excardinated to Hawaii 1989
Arrested and convicted in Hawaii 1992
Died 2011
Robert J. Petrella
Ordained 1964
Abuse first reported to ADW 1966 (temporarily removed, evaluated and treated, cleared for return to ministry)
Permanently removed from ministry after additional abuse reported 1989
Arrested 1996; convicted 1997
Removed from Clerical State 2003
James J. Powderly
Ordained 1958
Abuse first reported to ADW 1997
Retired without faculties 1997
Died 2004

Edward B. Pritchard
Ordained 1974
Abuse first reported to ADW 1986 (placed on leave, evaluated and treated, cleared for return to ministry)
Permanently removed from ministry after additional abuse reported 1995
Arrested and convicted 1995
Died 2002
Thomas S. Schaefer
Ordained 1953
Abuse first reported to ADW 1967 (temporarily removed, evaluated and treated, cleared for return to ministry)
Additional abuse reported to ADW 1982 (temporarily removed, evaluated and treated, cleared for return to ministry 1983)
Permanently removed from parish ministry 1986
Nursing Home Chaplain 1986-95
Removed without faculties 1995
Arrested 1995; convicted 1996
Died 2009
James A. Scott
Ordained 1966
Abuse first reported to ADW 1986 (temporarily removed, evaluated, cleared for return to limited ministry 1987)
Hospital and Nursing Home Chaplain 1987-95
Faculties removed 1995
Removed from Clerical State 1996
Died 2013
Timothy F. Slevin
Ordained 1965
Abandoned priesthood 1974
Removed from Clerical State 1978
Abuse first reported to ADW 1986
Arrested and convicted 1986

Alphonsus M. Smith
Ordained 1956
Abuse first reported to ADW 1995
Removed from ministry 1995
Arrested and convicted 1995
Died 2005
Dan P. Stallings
Ordained Deacon 1986
Abuse first reported to ADW 2007
Arrested 2007; convicted 2008
Removed from ministry 2007
Removed from Clerical State 2009
Died 2015
William M. Stock
Ordained 1969
Abandoned priesthood 1985
Abuse first reported to ADW 2006
Arrested 2006; convicted 2007
Paul T. Twiddy
Ordained 1952
Abuse first reported to ADW 1965 (removed from ministry, evaluated and treated, cleared for return to ministry 1968)
Accepted assignment in Diocese of Monterey 1968-1971
Long-term in-patient treatment after additional report of abuse in CA 1971-1979 (cleared for return to limited ministry 1980)
In residence at ADW parish with limited responsibilities while in out-patient treatment 1980-1986
Retired 1986
Died 2009
Miguel Umana Zelaya
Ordained 1996
Abuse first reported to ADW 2000
Removed from ministry 2000
Removed from Clerical State 2003

Religious Order or Non-Diocesan Priests Serving in Archdiocese of Washington Parishes or Schools

Aaron J. Cote, O.P.
Dominican Priest on temporary parish assignment
Re-assigned by Order to Rhode Island 2003
Abuse reported to ADW 2003 (after re-assignment)
Removed from Ministry by Order 2005
Arrested 2008; convicted 2009
Died 2012
Walter Dayton Salisbury
Josephite Priest on temporary parish assignment
Abuse reported to ADW 1993
Arrested and convicted 1993
Removed from ADW by Order 1993
Ronald J. Tully
Augustinian Priest/teacher, Archbishop Carroll High School 1960s
Left Augustinian Order 1970, became priest of Diocese of Paterson, NJ
Removed from Clerical State 2004
Abuse reported to ADW 2011
Urbano Vazquez
Capuchin Priest on parish assignment
Abuse reported to ADW 2018
Faculties removed by ADW and removed from parish by Capuchin Order 2018
Arrested 2018; awaiting trial

Maryland Priests Named in the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report:

Amy, Michael (Diocese of Erie)- Amy graduated from St. Mary’s Seminary (Baltimore City) in 1978. He was never assigned in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Bach, Francis (Diocese of Harrisburg)- Bach owned a boat in an undisclosed location in Maryland where abuse allegedly occurred.
Bostwick, John (Diocese of Richmond)- Bostwick was assigned to Ascension Church (Halethorpe) from 1972 to 1976 and taught in the theology department at Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg from 1976 to 1985.
Cofenas, Robert (Diocese of Allentown)- Cofenas served as Vice President of Mount St. Mary’s College from 1980 to 1981.
Geinzer, John (Diocese of Pittsburgh)- Geinzer served as Associate Spiritual Director at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg from 1980 to 1990. The Diocese of Pittsburgh deemed the allegations against Geinzer to be inconclusive.
Jeselnick, Stephen (Diocese of Erie)- In 2017, individuals contacted the Pennsylvania Grand Jury and alleged sexual child abuse by Jeselnick. Jeselnick has denied the allegations of child sexual abuse. The Pennsylvania Grand Jury reports lists his last known assignment as being at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Baltimore beginning in 1997. His faculties were revoked by the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2003 and by the Diocese of Erie 2014, both based on allegations of misconduct with adults. Jeselnick provided assistance at St. Augustine (Elkridge) and at Shrine of the Sacred Heart (Baltimore City) prior to his faculties being removed in 2003. It also appears that Jeselnick may have been chaplain with the Air National Guard base in Middle River.
Long, Arthur (Jesuit)- Long studied at the Jesuit seminary in Woodstock, MD from 1946 to 1949 and again from 1952 to 1956. Long served at Loyola Blakefield High School from 1957 to 1963, and at Loyola College from 1968 to 1974. He served at Good Samaritan Hospital from 1969 to 1970, and at Mercy Hospital from 1988 to 1989 while living at St. Ignatius (Baltimore City). Long resided at the Jesuit community at Loyola Blakefield for a time in 1992.
McLaughlin, Neil (Jesuit)- McLaughlin lived at the Jesuit Provincial Community in Baltimore, without exercising any ministry, from 2007 to 2016. McLaughlin served at Loyola Blakefield from 1954 to 1956 and studied at the Jesuit seminary in Woodstock from 1956 to 1960.
Presley, William (Diocese of Erie)- Presley served as campus minister at University of Maryland at Baltimore from 1977 to 1978 and also assisted with weekend ministry at St. Mary (Cumberland) from 1989 to 1990.
Steffen, Carl (Diocese of Harrisburg)- Steffen was assigned to the Manresa Retreat House (Annapolis) in 1969. He also assisted at retreats at St. John (Westminster) from about 2007 to 2008.

More Recent Baltimore Allegations:

Barber, Michael L. (Jesuit) – In 1994, Barber pled guilty to an incident of child sexual abuse and was removed from ministry. He served at St. Ignatius Church in Baltimore from 1975-76.
Barnes, Michael– In March 2009, the Archdiocese of Baltimore publicly disclosed that it had learned of the allegation of sexual abuse against Michael Barnes, who left the priesthood in 1988. At the time of the alleged abuse, Barnes was assigned to St. Clare’s Parish in Essex. Barnes was sentenced in March 2009 in Worcester County Circuit Court upon being found guilty following his Alford Plea to one count of Child Abuse-Custodian related to an allegation that he sexually abused a minor over a period of time from 1977 to 1983. Barnes has not served publicly as a priest since he took a leave of absence in 1988. Barnes was ordained a priest in 1975. He served as a deacon and priest at St. Michael, Overlea, from 1974 to 1976, then as Associate Pastor of St. Clare from 1976 to1982. Following his assignment at St. Clare, Barnes was assigned to the following ministries: Priest-in-residence, St. Thomas More, Baltimore from 1982 to 1983, Associate, St. Pius X, Rodgers Forge from 1985 to 1986, Associate, St. Mary, Cumberland in 1988.
Bellwoar, John F.X. (Jesuit) – In 2018, the Jesuits reported multiple allegations of sexual abuse in the 1950s and 1960s. Bellwoar died in 1993. Bellwoar served at Loyola University Maryland from 1940-1941.
Bevan, Thomas– In June 2009, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Monsignor Thomas Bevan. The acts allegedly occurred in the mid-1970s while he was serving as an associate pastor at St. John Catholic Church in Frederick. The individual stated he was abused on a number of separate occasions in the mid-1970s when he was a student at the parish school. On August 18, 2009, the Archdiocese received permission from civil authorities in Frederick County to resume its investigation and representatives of the Archdiocese met with Msgr. Bevan the following day. At the meeting on August 19, 2009, Bevan denied the allegations. In 2005, the Archdiocese had received an allegation of child sexual abuse against Bevan dating back to 1974, which he denied. The Archdiocese reported the allegation at that time to the Frederick County State’s Attorney and conducted an investigation into the claim. The Archdiocese determined that there was not sufficient evidence at the time to remove him. The Archdiocese removed Bevan from ministry on August 19, 2009 in response to the allegations that he sexually abused two minors in the mid-1970s. In November 2009, the Archdiocese announced Bevan would be permanently barred from active priestly ministry, citing the conclusion of its investigation and the allegations of three additional individuals that they were abused by Bevan as minors in the early-mid 1970s. Charges were filed against Bevan relating to the allegations of child sexual abuse. In September 2010, Bevan entered an Alford plea to one count of child abuse and he was sentenced to 18 months of home detention for sexually abusing the male minor in the 1970s. Thomas Bevan was ordained a priest in 1963. In addition to serving at St. John from 1974-1979, he also served at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle River (Associate), 1963-1974; St. Mark, Fallston (Pastor), 1979-1991; St. Mary, Cumberland (Temporary Administrator), 1991-92; St. Patrick, Mount Savage (Temporary Administrator), 1992; St. Patrick, Cumberland (Pastor), 1997-2009. Msgr. Bevan served as Executive Director of the Secretariat for Priestly Life & Ministry for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (now the USCCB) from 1992-97. He also served in the Office of Clergy Education for the Archdiocese from 1976-91. During his time as an Associate at Mount Carmel, he taught Religion and Church History at the parish high school. While an Associate at St. John, he taught liturgy courses at Mount St. Mary’s.
Bonacci, Louis (Jesuit) – April 2011, the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus received an allegation against Fr. Louis Bonacci, S.J. dating from the period 1978-1982 that involved the improper touching of a minor in a family home. There had been no prior allegations against Fr. Bonacci. Immediately upon receiving the allegation, the Society of Jesus reported it to the civil authorities; the Diocese of Scranton, where Fr. Bonacci was in ministry; and the Province Review Board. The Province leadership removed the priest from all ministry while the allegation was investigated. Following the recommendation of the Province Review Board, the provincial of the Maryland Province, Rev. James Shea, S.J., permanently removed Fr. Bonacci from all ministry. Fr. Bonacci entered the Jesuits in 1963 and was ordained in 1973. His ministerial assignments follow: Teacher, St. Joseph Preparatory School, Philadelphia, PA (1968-1970); Student, Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, MA (1970-1973); Intern, Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville, PA (1973-1974); Student, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (1974-1978); Assistant director of campus ministry, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD (1978-1982); Catholic campus minister, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (1982-1988); Sabbatical and graduate studies at the International Marian Research Institute, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH (1988-1994); Campus minister, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH (1994-1999); Campus minister and Adjunct professor of theology, Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, WV (1999-2003); Campus minister, adjunct professor of theology and editor of Shepherds of Christ newsletter, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA (2003-2004); Adjunct professor of theology, Misericordia University, Dallas, PA (2004); and Coordinator of spiritual direction for priests and deacons, Diocese of Scranton, Scranton, PA (2005-2011).
Bourbon, Francis C. (Jesuit) – In 2018, the Jesuits reported that Bourbon was the subject of a single allegation of an unwanted kiss of a minor in about 1985. Bourbon died in 2007. Bourbon served at Loyola University Maryland from 1959-1968 and from 1986-1988.
Bradley, H. Cornell (Jesuit) – In 2006, Bradley left ministry and the Jesuits report multiple allegations of sexual abuse from the 1970s and 1980s. Bradley served at the Jesuit Seminary and Mission Bureau in Baltimore from 1979-1988, and at the Jesuit Provincial Residence in Baltimore from 1993-1994.
Burton, C. Jeffries (Jesuit) – In 2007, Burton was removed from ministry and the Jesuits report a single allegation of unwanted touching over clothing in about 1982. He died in 2011. Burton served at the Jesuit Seminary Guild in Baltimore from 1968-1969; at the Jesuit Mission Bureau in Baltimore from 1988-1989; and at the Loyola Blakefield Jesuit Community in Towson from 2006-2007.
Coyle, Charles (Jesuit)– In 2003, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned that an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Coyle in the mid-1960s when Father Coyle was a seminarian at Woodstock College, a Jesuit seminary near Baltimore. The seminary closed in 1974. The allegations were reported to the Society of Jesus’ New Orleans Province. Father Coyle served at a number of parishes and schools in New Orleans in the 1980s and 1990s. He was relieved of his duties as a priest in 2002 for the alleged sexual abuse of a minor in the early 1970s.
Cristancho, Fernando (Diocese of Istmina-Tado, Colombia)– Father Fernando Cristancho was a priest of the Diocese of Istmina-Tado, Colombia, who served in the Diocese of Arlington prior to receiving permission to serve as an extern priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1999. Cristancho’s assignment in the Archdiocese was at St. Ignatius, Hickory. In July 2002, Cristancho refused an assignment to another parish from Cardinal William H. Keeler, then Archbishop of Baltimore, which led to the revocation of his faculties to minister in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Cristancho has had no assignment and has not been permitted to function as priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore since July 2002. It was subsequent to the revocation of his faculties to function as a priest that the Archdiocese learned that Cristancho had fathered triplets with a woman through in-vitro fertilization, and later that he was accused of child sexual abuse and found by a court to have sexually abused two of his children.
Cullen, Robert B. (Jesuit) – In 2018, the Jesuits reported multiple allegations of sexual abuse in the 1960s to 1980s. Cullen died in 2005. He served at Loyola Blakefield in Towson from 1952-53, from 1963-1982, and from 1996-2002.
Davies, Joseph- Monsignor Joseph Davies died in 1992. In 1993, a man in his 50s contacted the Archdiocese to report that he had been sexually abused as a child by Davies in the 1950s. The Archdiocese reported the allegation to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. Since that time, the Archdiocese has received numerous allegations of child sexual abuse against Davies, which have been reported to civil authorities. Davies served at St. Katharine (Baltimore) from 1943 to 1963 and at St. Joseph (Hagerstown) from 1963 to 1990. He also served as a chaplain at Calvert Hall College High School (Towson) from 1952 to 1963, for boy scouts from 1958 to 1990, and at the Maryland Correctional Institution (Hagerstown) from 1963 to 1990.
Dean, Alfred (Josephite)– In 2002, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Rev. Alfred Dean. The incidents reportedly occurred in 2002 at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church in East Baltimore. The Archdiocese of Baltimore suspended Father Dean’s priestly duties. The Archdiocese informed the Josephites of the allegation. Father Dean resigned as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church. In 2003, Father Dean was charged with second degree assault. The charges were later dismissed at the request of the victim’s family. Dean, who was ordained in 1989, is a native of the Bahamas. Before coming to St. Francis Xavier in 2000, he was an associate pastor at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Cherry Hill.
Esposito, Luigi– In May of 2018, the Archdiocese of Baltimore publicly disclosed allegations of sexual misconduct against Fr. Luigi Esposito, 77, pastor of Our Lady of Pompei Church in Baltimore. The alleged abuse occurred in the 1970s while Father Esposito was serving as Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Pompei. While investigating the initial allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, the Archdiocese received an additional allegation of sexual abuse of a minor involving Fr. Esposito and another teenage girl. The Archdiocese cooperated with and reported allegations to civil authorities. After receiving permission from civil authorities to make contact with Father Esposito, representatives of the Archdiocese met with him to discuss the allegations. He denied all the allegations against him. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Archdiocese removed Father Esposito from ministry and revoked his faculties to function as a priest. In 1964, Luigi Esposito was ordained a priest of the Congregation of the Mission of St. Vincent de Paul, a religious order also known as the Vincentians, in Naples, Italy. He was incardinated, the process whereby a diocesan or religious order priest becomes a priest of another diocese, into the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2000. Father Esposito served as Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Pompei from 1964-1984, then as Pastor from 1987-present. He was a Teacher, Coach, and Athletic Director of Our Lady of Pompei High School from 1964-1987.
Garrity, Stephen M. (Jesuit) – In 2007, Garrity was removed from ministry and the Jesuits report multiple allegations of sexual abuse in the 1970s. Garrity served at the Jesuit Province Office in Baltimore from 1982-1985.
Girard, Steven– In 2004, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Steven Girard in the early 1990s while Father Girard was serving as pastor of St. Clement in Lansdowne. Father Girard denied the allegations. In 2002, Father Girard resigned and had his faculties to function as a priest removed, when he was charged with filing a false carjacking report. He was sentenced to one year of supervised probation. He is prohibited from functioning as a priest. Father Girard was ordained in October 1975 and served at St. Matthew from 1973 to 1975; at John Carroll High School from January 1975 to June 1975; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel from 1975 to 1978; CYO Retreat House from 1978 to 1982; St. Clare from 1982 to1987 and St. Clement from 1987 to 2002.
Kenney, Joseph – In 2002, two separate individuals alleged that they had been abused by Joseph Kenney in the late 1940s to early 1950s. Kenney had died in 2001. Pursuant to the Archdiocese’s 2002 disclosure policy, Kenney’s name was not disclosed in 2002 because the Archdiocese believed he had died before the Archdiocese received an allegation of child abuse. However, as a result of a call to the Archdiocese from a victim in 2018, the Archdiocese realized that Kenney had been accused of child abuse in about 1985 relating to events in the early 1950s. Kenney served at Shrine of the Little Flower from 1943 to 1963, at St. Joseph (Taneytown) from 1963 to 1967, at St. Rita (Dundalk) from 1967 to 1973, and at St. Clement (Lansdowne) from 1973 to his retirement in 1987.
Kolodziej, Michael (Franciscan)– In November 2013, the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, publicly disclosed that it had learned of an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor by Fr. Michael Kolodziej, OFM Conv. Father Kolodziej is a member and former Minister Provincial of the Order, which has staffed Archbishop Curley High School since its founding. Fr. Kolodziej was a teacher at Archbishop Curley High School from 1975-79. A former student from this time period has alleged that he was abused on several occasions while Fr. Kolodziej wrestled him. Archbishop Curley High School reported the allegation immediately to authorities, and the police were promptly informed; the School, the Order, and the Archdiocese, which owns Archbishop Curley High School, are cooperating fully with authorities. The Order has suspended Fr. Kolodziej from all public ministry and the Archbishop has withdrawn Fr. Kolodziej’s faculties to function as a priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Order, and Archbishop Curley High School are unaware of any other allegations of misconduct against Fr. Kolodziej during his time at Archbishop Curley High School. Fr. Kolodziej was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Buffalo in 1970 and served in Buffalo as a hospital chaplain (1970), associate pastor and school director at St. Mary of Sorrows Church (1970-71), and teacher at Bishop Turner High School and Villa Maria College (1971-74) until he entered the Franciscan Order in 1974. After serving at Archbishop Curley High School, Fr. Kolodziej served as teacher and assistant principal at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, NY (1979-82), principal at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Tonawanda, NY (1982-88), pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Lawrence, MA (1988-91), rector at St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee, MA (1991-2001), Minister Provincial of the Order in Ellicott City, MD (2001-2010), and parochial vicar at St. Philip Benizi Parish in Jonesboro, GA from 2010 until his recent suspension.
Krouse, William Earl “Jay” (Archdiocese of Washington) – In 1996, Krouse pled guilty to six counts of molesting deaf boys he befriended in the early 1970s. Media report that Krouse served in the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Baltimore at The Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick.
Lentz, Robert– In December 2002, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned of allegations of sexual abuse of minors against Fr. Robert Lentz. The alleged abuse occurred in the mid-late 1960s. The allegations were reported to the civil authorities. Fr. Lentz was informed of the allegations. He denied the allegations and declined to answer any questions. Fr. Lentz was removed from ministry and his faculties to function as a priest were removed. Fr. Lentz served at St. Mark (Catonsville) from 1964 to 1973, he also served at Cardinal Gibbons High School from 1973 to 1974, with the Catholic Youth Organization from 1973 to 1976, as the Director of the Archdiocesan Youth Office from 1976 to 1978, at St. Augustine (Elkridge) from 1978 to 1980, at Church of the Ascension from 1981 to 1983, at Prince of Peace from 1983 to 1988, at St. Pius X from 188 to 1990, at St. Mark (Fallston) from 1990 to 1991, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help from 1991 to 1997, and at St. Dominic from 1998 to 2002.
Lippold, John– In October 2010, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Fr. John Lippold, 79, a retired priest residing in Baltimore County. The alleged abuse occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s while the priest was serving as Associate Pastor at Ss. Philip & James Catholic Church in Baltimore. The individual alleges she was abused on a number of occasions over a two-year period beginning in the late 1960s when she was a parishioner at St. James. Lippold retired in 2001. In accordance with Archdiocesan policy, counseling assistance has been offered to all those affected. John Lippold was ordained a priest in 1957. In addition to serving at Ss. Philip & James in Baltimore from 1967-73, he also served at St. Bernard, Baltimore (Associate), 1957-62; St. John, Frederick (Associate), 1962-67; Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Baltimore (Associate, Pastor), 1973-74, June 1989; All Saints, Baltimore (Pastor), 1974-76; St. Ann, Naples, Fl. (Associate), 1976-77; St. Philip Neri, Linthicum (Associate), 1977-78, September 1989; St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Baltimore (Pastor), 1978-1989; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Baltimore (Temporary Administrator), 1981.
Magnus, E. Neil — Fr. E. Neil Magnus died in 1988. In 1992, a woman alleged inappropriate sexual conduct by Fr. E. Neil Magnus. The Archdiocese reported the allegation to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. Since that time, the Archdiocese has received numerous allegations of child sexual abuse against Neil Magnus, which have been reported to civil authorities. Magnus served at St. John (Hydes) from 1963 to 1969, at Archbishop Keough High School from 1969 to 1972, at Mt. St. Joseph High School from 1972 to 1982, at Towson Catholic High School from 1982 to 1984, and at the Tribunal Office from 1984 to 1988. He was also appointed to the faculty of John Carroll High School in 1964, and assisted at St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Pasadena) in 1969, at St. Lawrence (Woodlawn) from 1969 to 1982, and at St. Joseph (Fullerton) from 1984 to 1988.
Michele, Robert (Paulist) – In November 2018, the Paulist Fathers advised the Archdiocese of Baltimore that Father Robert Michele, C.S.P., 90, acknowledged sexual misconduct with a minor female more than 40 years earlier, after an allegation arose in September 2018. The Paulists also reported that an earlier allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor was made in 2002 against Fr. Michele and was found to be inconclusive. Father Michele served as spiritual director at Johns Hopkins University from 1986-1989.
Murray, J. Glen (Jesuit) – In 2011, the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus removed Fr. J-Glenn Murray, S.J. from ministry following an allegation of the improper touching of a minor that occurred in 1981-1982, while he was in Baltimore, Maryland. This is the only allegation the Society has received involving Fr. Murray. An individual initially made an allegation in 2005. It was immediately reported to the civil authorities and sent to the Province Review Board. The civil authorities told the Province that they had closed their investigation after the individual declined to speak with them. The Province Review Board hired a third party investigator. Based on the information uncovered at the time, the Board did not find the allegation credible. In the spring of 2011, while considering a new assignment for Fr. Murray, current leadership of the Province reviewed his file and decided to ask the Province Review Board to undertake a new review of the allegation. Fr. Murray was placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. A new third party investigator hired by the Province Review Board conducted a second investigation, including expanded interviews, uncovering new information. Upon receipt of a recommendation by the Province Review Board and following his own review of the entire record, the provincial of the Maryland Province, Rev. James Shea, S.J., permanently removed Fr. Murray from all ministry. Fr. Murray entered the Jesuits in 1968 and was ordained in 1979. His ministerial assignments follow: assisting the president, teacher of theology at Gonzaga High School, Washington, DC (1974-1976); Parochial vicar at Holy Cross Church, Durham, NC (1980-1981); teacher of English and religion at St. Frances-Charles Hall, Baltimore, MD (1981-1988); assistant principal at St. Frances-Charles Hall, Baltimore, MD (1985-1988); Parochial vicar, working in apostolate to African American Catholics in Cleveland Diocese Office of Pastoral Liturgy (1989-1995); professor of liturgy at St. Mary’s Seminary, Cleveland, OH (1992-1992); director of Cleveland diocesan liturgical office and professor of homiletics at St. Mary’s Seminary, Cleveland, OH (1995-2003); director of Office of Pastoral Liturgy at Cleveland Diocese, Cleveland, OH (2003-2007); and associate pastor at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, Washington, DC (2007-2011).
Orr, Garrett D. (Jesuit) – In 2005, Orr was removed from ministry and the Jesuits report multiple allegations of sexual abuse from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. Orr served at Loyola University Maryland from 2004-2005.
Ory, Claude L. (Jesuit) – In 2007, Ory was removed from ministry and the Jesuits report multiple allegations of sexual abuse from the 1970s. Ory served at Loyola University Maryland from 2000-2007.
Salerno, Michael (Pallotine)– In 2007, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Father Michael Salerno, pastor at St. Leo the Great Church in Baltimore. The alleged abuse occurred in the 1970s while then-Brother Salerno was a Pallottine Brother serving at All Saints Catholic Church in Brooklyn, New York. The Archdiocese informed the Pallotines of the allegation. The investigation conducted by the Diocese of Brooklyn confirmed that Father Salerno did sexually abuse a boy who was approximately 13-years-old at the time of the abuse. Father Salerno admitted to sexually abusing the boy over a three year period, 1975-1978. Father Salerno served at St. Leo in Baltimore from 1997 to 2007. Father Salerno’s faculties to function as a priest were removed.
Smith, Richard– In 2007, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned of two allegations of sexual abuse of a minor against Monsignor Richard E. Smith. The alleged abuse occurred in mid-late 1960s while then-Father Richard Smith was a priest at Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Woodlawn (known as St. Gabriel since 1997). Monsignor Smith was informed of the allegations. He admitted to some of the allegations and could not recall other details of his interactions with them. Monsignor Smith was removed from ministry and his faculties to function as a priest were removed. Monsignor Smith was ordained a priest in 1966. In addition to serving at Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Woodlawn) from 1966 to 1967, he also served at St. Bernard (Baltimore) in 1967, at St. Mary (Cumberland) from 1968 to 1973, at St. Mark (Fallston) from 1973 to 1978, at St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) from 1978 to 1983, at St. Clare (Essex) from 1983 to 1987, at Our Lady of Sorrows (Owensville) from 1987 to 1996, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Crofton), Administrator, in 1996, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Ellicott City) from 1996 to 2007.
Vazquez-Ortega, Urbano (Capuchin) – In November 2018, Father Urbano Vazquez-Ortega was charged by Washington, DC police with sexually abusing a teenager at Shrine of the Sacred Heart Parish in Northwest Washington in 2015. The Archdiocese learned of the charges from media reports. Father Vazquez served his diaconate internship at Our Lady of the Mountains Parish (Western Maryland) from 2013-2014 and later celebrated mass there on a few occasions.
Velez Lopez, Jorge Antonio (Tertiary Capuchin)- In 2016, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Jorge Antonio Velez-Lopez, T.C., a member of the religious order known as the Tertiary Capuchins, who last served in the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2010. The abuse began in approximately 2007 while Velez was assigned to St. John the Evangelist Parish in Columbia. The victim was a parishioner at Church of the Resurrection in Laurel. The allegation was immediately reported to civil authorities, to Velez’s religious order, and to the diocese where Velez was then serving. Velez admitted to the allegations. Velez has had no assignment or faculties to function as a priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore since 2010. Velez was assigned to St. John (Columbia) from 2003 to 2010 and also ministered to members of the Spanish-speaking community in several other parishes, including Church of the Resurrection (Laurel), Holy Trinity (Glen Burnie), St. John (Frederick), Sacred Heart (Glyndon) and St. Joseph (Cockeysville).
Walsh, William J. (Jesuit) – In 1996, Walsh was removed from ministry and the Jesuits report multiple allegations of sexual abuse from the 1950s to 1980s. Walsh served at the Maryland Province Office of the Jesuits from 1956-1961 and 1978-1985.
Wielebski, John– In January 2010, the Archdiocese of Baltimore publicly disclosed that it had learned of three allegations of sexual misconduct against Fr. John Wielebski, 62, pastor at Resurrection of Our Lord Church in Laurel. All of the allegations are related to acts which allegedly occurred in the mid-late 1980s while he was serving at St. Dominic Church, Baltimore, and the Monsignor Clare J. O’Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks, Maryland. While investigating the initial allegation of sexual abuse of a minor made against Wielebski, the Archdiocese also learned of additional allegations of sexual misconduct involving Wielebski and two young men. The Archdiocese cooperated and shared information with the civil authorities and on December 18, 2009 after receiving permission from civil authorities to make contact with Wielebski, representatives of the Archdiocese met with him to discuss the allegations. He denied all the allegations against him. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Archdiocese removed Wielebski from ministry and revoked his faculties to function as a priest, pending the outcome of its investigation. In July 1978, Wielebski was ordained a priest of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, a religious order also known as the Trinitarians. He was incardinated, the process whereby a diocesan or religious order priest becomes a priest of another diocese, into the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1988. Prior to his incardination, Father Wielebski served at Sacred Heart, Glyndon, 1974-1978 (as an intern); U.S. Penitentiary, Marion, IL, 1978-1981; Holy Trinity Monastery, Pikesville, 1981-1983; Redeemer House Shelter, Baltimore, 1983-1984; St. Bernard, Baltimore, 1984-1985; and St. Dominic, Baltimore, 1985-1988. Following his incardination, Father Wielebski served at the Msgr. Clare O’Dwyer Retreat House, Sparks, 1988-1991; St. Patrick, Cumberland 1991-1996; Sacred Heart, Glyndon, 1996-1999; and Resurrection of Our Lord, Laurel, 1999-2009.

Priests and Religious named in the September 2002 Baltimore Disclosure:

Avant, James (Capuchin)-In 1993, a woman alleged that her child had been sexually abused by Brother James Avant in the early 1970s. These allegations were reported to the Capuchins. Brother Avant had left the Capuchins in 1990. Brother Avant served at Morgan State University starting in 1972, at St. Martin (Baltimore) from 1972 to 1978 and at the Charles Lwanga Center from 1979 to 1984.
Ball, Bruce E. (Diocese of La Crosse, WI)-In 1993, the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin informed the Archdiocese of two claims of sexual abuse against Bruce Ball during the time when he was a seminarian for the Diocese of LaCrosse at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore. Ball was ordained in 1978 for the Diocese of LaCrosse. In 1993 he was incarcerated in Wisconsin for another incident of abuse. Ball was at St. Mary’s Seminary from 1974 to 1976 and 1977 to 1978, and he served at Villa Maria (Timonium) from 1974 to 1975 and at Shrine of the Sacred Heart School (Baltimore) from 1975 to 1978.
Banko, John (Diocese of Trenton/Metuchen, NJ)-In 2002, an individual alleged sexual abuse by John Banko beginning in the early 1970s while Banko was a seminarian for the Diocese of Trenton at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore. Banko was a student at St. Mary’s Seminary from 1964 to 1972, and was ordained into the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey in 1972. He served in the Diocese of Metuchen after it was divided from the Diocese of Trenton. The Archdiocese informed the Dioceses of Trenton and Metuchen of the allegation.
Bauernfeind, Thomas-In 1987, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Thomas Bauernfeind in the mid 1970s. Father Bauernfeind retired in the late 1990s, and in April 2002 his faculties to perform ministry were removed. Father Bauernfeind served at St. Francis of Assisi (Harford Road) from 1964 to 1968, at Holy Cross in 1968, at the Catholic Center from 1968 to 1978 (while residing at St. Anthony of Padua), at St. Mark (Catonsville) from 1978 to 1979, at St. Lawrence (Woodlawn) from 1979 to 1988, at Our Lady Queen of Peace from 1988 to 1991, at St. Anthony of Padua from 1992 to 1996, at Most Precious Blood from 1995 to 1996 and at St. Alphonsus from 1996 until his retirement in 1998.
Blackwell, Maurice-In 1993, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Maurice Blackwell in the early 1990s. This allegation was denied by Father Blackwell. In 1998, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Blackwell beginning in the late 1960s, and Father Blackwell admitted the allegation. The Archdiocese removed Father Blackwell’s faculties to function as a priest in 1998. In 2002, additional individuals alleged sexual abuse in the 1960s to 1970s. Father Blackwell’s circumstances have been widely covered in parish meetings and through the media. Father Blackwell served at St. Bernardine from 1974 to 1979 and at St. Edward from 1979 to 1998.
Brett, Laurence (Diocese of Bridgeport)-Beginning in 1973, numerous individuals alleged sexual abuse by Father Laurence Brett from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s. The allegations against Father Brett have been widely covered in the media. Father Brett served at Calvert Hall High School from 1969 to 1973, and from 1967 to 1973 at St. Jane Frances de Chantel, St. Patrick (Cumberland), and St. Pius X. Beginning in 1976, Father Brett served as Chaplain at the School Sisters of Notre Dame Motherhouse. He worked at a religious publisher in Washington DC until the early 1990s.
Brinkmann, Frederick (Redemptorist)-In 1996, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Frederick Brinkmann during the late 1970s. The Archdiocese informed the Redemptorists of this allegation. Father Brinkmann served at St. Michael (Baltimore) from 1977 to 1978.
Bugge, Gerald (Redemptorist)-In 1985, Father Gerald Bugge admitted to engaging in inappropriate sexual activities with a minor in 1985. These allegations were reported to the Redemptorists and Father Bugge’s faculties were removed. Father Bugge served at St. Mary (Annapolis) from 1974 to 1980 and in 1985.
Carney, John-In 1991, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father John Carney in the early 1970s. Father Carney denied the allegation in 1991, but upon being confronted again in 1995 he acknowledged that he had engaged in inappropriate conduct. The Archdiocese removed his faculties to perform any ministry at that time. Father Carney served at Our Lady of Victory from 1963 to 1968 and from 1970 to 1972, at St. Peter (Westernport) from 1968 to 1969 and at St. Philip Neri (Linthicum) from 1969 to 1970. From 1972 to 1982 he served as Chaplain at Caton Nursing Home and Chaplain at Mt. Wilson State Hospital. He resided at St. Clement (Lansdowne) in 1972, at St. Agnes from 1973 to 1977 and at St. Peter (Baltimore) from 1977 to 1981. Father Carney served as a Chaplain at Misericordia Hospital in Philadelphia from 1982 to 1995 while residing at Holy Cross and St. Augustine (Elkridge).
Carroll, Douglas (Pallotine)-In 1990, the Pallotines informed the Archdiocese that Father Douglas Carroll admitted soliciting an underage individual in another state. Father Carroll was removed from ministry in 1990 and was laicized in 1998. Father Carroll served at St. Leo from 1985 to 1988.
Cox, Brian-In 1995, the Archdiocese was informed by a third party that Father Brian Cox had engaged in sexual abuse in 1981. Father Cox admitted to sexual misconduct with minors from 1979 to 1985. The Archdiocese removed his faculties to perform any ministry and placed him on administrative leave. Against the recommendation of the Archdiocese, in 1996 Father Cox returned to Resurrection Farm, a facility not affiliated with the Archdiocese. In 1995 and 1996, the Archdiocese made numerous public statements about Father Cox’s misconduct, sought information on other possible victims, and informed the community that the Archdiocese did not approve of Father Cox’s return to Resurrection Farm or the use of Resurrection Farm for any youth activities. In March 2002, another individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Cox from about 1978 to 1980. Father Cox was charged with child sexual offenses in May 2002.Father Cox has had no faculties within the Archdiocese since 1995.Father Cox became a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1981. Previously, he had served as a priest of the Josephite religious society at St. Pius V from 1968 to 1973, at Resurrection House from 1970-1977, as Chaplain at Archbishop Keough High School from 1975-1978 and as Summer Chaplain at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1978. He served at St. John (Westminster) from 1978 to 1989 and assisted at St. John (Westminster) and St. Peter (Libertytown) from 1989 to 1995 while working without assignment from the Archdiocese at Resurrection Farm.
Deakin, Richard (Capuchin)-In 1990, an individual reported to the Archdiocese that Father Richard Deakin had sexually abused her child during the 1980s. The Archdiocese informed the Capuchins of the allegation. Father Deakin had left the priesthood and Capuchins in 1988, and pled guilty to sex offenses relating to this allegation in 1990. Father Deakin served at St. Martin (Baltimore) from 1983 to 1987.
Dimitroff, Donald (Christian Brother)-In 1997, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned from the Christian Brothers that an individual alleged sexual abuse by Brother Donald Dimitroff in the early 1980s. Brother Dimitroff served at Bishop Walsh High School from 1981 to 1983 and assisted with computer classes at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore in the early 1990s. He has lived at the Christian Brothers residence at Calvert Hall High School since 1991.
Dowdy, James-In 1993, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father James Dowdy in the late 1970s to early 1980s. Father Dowdy admitted to sexual abuse involving two minors. The Archdiocese removed Father Dowdy from his position as associate pastor and removed his faculties to perform any ministry. Father Dowdy served at St. John (Hydes) in 1969, outside of the Archdiocese at St. Thomas Seminary (California) from 1969 to 1971, at Annunciation from 1971 to 1972, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Woodlawn) from 1972 to 1975, at St. Mark (Catonsville) from 1975 to 1980, at St. Jerome from 1980 to 1989, on education leave from 1989 to 1990, at St. Matthew in 1990, at St. Elizabeth of Hungary from 1991 to 1992 and at St. Joseph (Cockeysville) from 1992 to 1993.
Duggan, John (Jesuit)-In 2002, a man alleged to the Archdiocese that his child had been sexually abused by Father John Duggan in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Father Duggan served at Loyola Blakefield High School from 1968 to 1970.
Duke, Frederick-In 1988, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Monsignor Frederick Duke. At that time, Monsignor Duke was retired, blind, in very poor health, and not able to engage in any kind of ministry. Monsignor Duke admitted to sexually abusing numerous minors between 1949 and 1961. Monsignor Duke died in 1992. He served at Shrine of Little Flower from 1942 to 1961, at St. Mary (Lonaconing) from 1961 to 1967, at St. John (Frederick) from 1967 to 1971, at St. Mark (Catonsville) from 1971 to 1978, at St. Bernard from 1978 to 1979 and at Our Lady of Sorrows from 1979 until his retirement in 1987.
Emala, Walter (Diocese of Memphis)– Archdiocesan files reflect that an allegation of sexual abuse by Father Walter Emala arose in 1975, at which time his faculties to perform ministry were removed. Since that time, a number of individuals alleged sexual abuse by Father Walter Emala during the mid 1970s to mid 1980s. From 1968 to 1972, he served at Our Lady Queen of Peace, St. Clare (Essex) and Sacred Heart of Mary (Dundalk). He also served at Our Lady Queen of Peace from 1959 to 1960 and from 1972 to 1975.
Farabaugh, Kenneth-In 1993, the Archdiocese was informed by a third party that an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Kenneth Farabaugh in the mid 1980s. The individual declined to cooperate with the Archdiocese, and to avoid further communication, hastily denied the allegation without providing further information at that time. Father Farabaugh also denied the allegation. In 2000, the same alleged victim met with the Archdiocese and related detailed allegations of sexual abuse by Father Farabaugh. The additional information was reported by the Archdiocese to civil authorities, who were investigating Father Farabaugh at the time of his death. Father Farabaugh died on December 12, 2000. He served at Immaculate Heart of Mary from 1963 to 1964, at St. Bernardine from 1964 to 1967, at St. Peter (Westernport) in 1967, at St. Paul Latin High School from 1967 to 1969, at Cardinal Gibbons High School from 1969 to 1980, at John Carroll High School from 1980 to 1992 and at St. Ignatius (Hickory) from 1992 to 2000.
Gallagher, Joseph-In 1986, the Archdiocese was informed by someone other than the victim that an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Joseph Gallagher in about 1980. At that time, the victim was an adult. Father Gallagher had retired in 1985. In 1993, the victim met with the Archdiocese and related allegations of sexual abuse. At that time, Father Gallagher admitted inappropriate conduct and his faculties to perform ministry were removed. Father Gallagher served at the Basilica of the Assumption from 1955 to 1962, at Villa Maria (Chaplain) from 1962 to 1963, as a faculty member at St. Paul’s Latin High School from 1962 to 1963, at Mission Helpers (Chaplain) from 1964 to 1966, at St. Mary’s Seminary (Faculty) from 1967 to 1976, and as a weekend assistant at Resurrection (Ellicott City), St. Lawrence, Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and at the CYO House from 1976 until his retirement in 1985.
Gerg, Joseph (Benedictine)-In 1997, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Joseph Gerg in the late 1960s to early 1970s. The Archdiocese reported this allegation to the Benedictines. Father Gerg served at St. Benedict (Baltimore) from 1967 to 1969.
Haight, Mark (Diocese of Albany)-In 2002, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Mark Haight in the mid 1970s. At the time of the alleged events, Haight was a seminarian for the Diocese of Albany at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore. Father Haight was ordained by the Diocese of Albany in 1976. The Archdiocese of Baltimore informed the Diocese of Albany of the allegation and learned that Father Haight was removed from ministry in 1996 and that the Diocese of Albany had settled two cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse against Haight. Father Haight was a student at St. Mary’s Seminary from 1972 to 1975, and served at Spring Grove Hospital from 1973 to 1974 and at St. Ambrose Church (Baltimore) from 1974 to 1975.
Hammer, John (Diocese of Youngstown and Saginaw)-After undergoing treatment at St. Luke Institute, Father John Hammer of the Diocese of Youngstown served as a Chaplain at St. Agnes Hospital from 1986 to 1989. The Archdiocese received no information of misconduct by Father Hammer while in Baltimore, but in 1989 decided that because of his history he should not even be engaged in hospital ministry. The Archdiocese of Baltimore informed the Diocese of Youngstown that Father Hammer’s faculties to perform ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore were being removed in 1989. In 2002, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned that Father Hammer had been serving as a priest in the Diocese of Saginaw since 1990. He resigned in April 2002 because of an allegation of sexual abuse from before 1986.
Helowicz, Marion-In 1988, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Marion Helowicz in the early 1980s. Later that year, Father Helowicz pled guilty to a sexual offense involving that individual. Father Helowicz’s faculties to perform ministry were removed in 1988. Between 1990 and 1993 two other individuals alleged that Father Helowicz had sexually abused them in the early 1980s. Father Helowicz served at St. Michael (Frostburg) from 1974 to 1980, at St. John the Evangelist (Severna Park) from 1980 to 1981, at St. Stephen (Bradshaw) from 1981 to 1984 and at St. Mary (Cumberland) from 1984 to 1988.
Hopkins, Robert-In 1995, two individuals alleged sexual abuse by Father Robert Hopkins in the 1970s. When confronted about these allegations, Father Hopkins admitted to sexual misconduct with a number of minors from the late 1950s to early 1980s. Father Hopkins had retired just prior to the receipt of these allegations and his faculties to perform any ministry were removed. Father Hopkins served at St. Mary (Cumberland) from 1948 to 1962, at Our Lady of Hope from 1962 to 1968, at St. Jerome from 1968 to 1971, at St. Mary (Lonaconing) from 1971 to 1982 and at St. Patrick (Cumberland) from 1982 to 1995.
Knapp, Paul (Redemptorist)– In 1993, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned from the Redemptorists that an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Paul Knapp about 20 years earlier. Father Knapp served as Associate Pastor at St. Mary (Annapolis) from 1973 to 1981. He left the priesthood in 1995.
Kruse, Joseph-In late 1987, Father Joseph Kruse admitted to sexual abuse from the mid to late 1980s. In 1987 he was removed from his parish, received treatment, and was assigned to hospital ministry. He left ministry permanently in 1989. Father Kruse served at St. John (Westminster) from 1982 to 1984, at Cathedral Mary Our Queen from 1984 to 1987 and as Franklin Square Hospital Chaplain from 1988 to 1989 while residing at Our Lady Queen of Peace.
LaMountain, Michael (Diocese of Providence)-In 2001, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Michael LaMountain in the mid 1970s. LaMountain was a seminarian for the Diocese of Providence at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore from 1972 to 1976 and was ordained by the Diocese of Providence in 1976. The Archdiocese notified the Diocese of Providence of this allegation. The Archdiocese has learned that in 1999, LaMountain pled guilty to nine counts of child sex offenses occurring between 1979 and 1992. LaMountain assisted as a seminarian at Most Precious Blood Parish from 1974 to 1976.
LaPorta, Ross-In 1999, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Ross LaPorta in the 1960s. In 1999, Father LaPorta was retired and living out of state. Father LaPorta denied the allegations. His faculties to perform ministry were removed. Father LaPorta served at St. Matthew from 1951 to 1963, at St. Charles Borromeo from 1963 to 1971, at St. Bernard (Baltimore) from 1971 to 1978, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Woodlawn) from 1978 to 1991 and at St. Mark (Catonsville) from 1991 until his retirement in 1998.
Lee, Thomas B. (Archdiocese of Seoul, Korea)– In 1993, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Thomas B. Lee in the early 1970s. The Archdiocese of Baltimore notified the Archdiocese of Seoul of this allegation. Father Lee lived at Immaculate Heart of Mary (Towson) from 1970 to 1974 while studying at Johns Hopkins University.
LeFevre, Francis-In 1987, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Francis LeFevre. Father LeFevre admitted to sexual misconduct with numerous minors in the 1970s and 1980s, and the Archdiocese removed him from his parish. After completing residential treatment, Father LeFevre was prohibited from engaging in any youth ministry and assigned to an administrative job in the Catholic Center. In 1989, Father LeFevre continued in his administrative job but his faculties to perform public ministry were removed. In 1995, Father LeFevre was removed from his administrative job because of allegations relating to the mid 1970s. Father LeFevre served at St. Anthony (Baltimore) from 1971 to 1977, as Assistant Director of the Vocations Office from 1976 to 1979, at St. John (Hydes) from 1979 to 1980, at St. Ursula from 1980 to 1987, and at the Catholic Center in data management (while residing at Our Lady Queen of Peace and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Woodlawn)) from 1987 until being placed on leave of absence in 1995.
Lorento, Anthony (Pallotine)-In 1994, an individual alleged to the Archdiocese sexual abuse by Father Anthony Lorento in the early 1980s. The Archdiocese informed the Pallotines of the allegation. Father Lorento resided at the Pallotine Mission Office on Paca Street from 1978 to 1980 and served at St. Leo from 1980 to 1982.
Loskarn, George-In 2002, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father George Loskarn in the late 1960s. Father Loskarn admitted the allegation, and the Archdiocese removed him from his parish and removed his faculties to perform ministry. Father Loskarn served at St. Bernard Parish from 1965 to 1972, at St. Michael (Overlea) from 1972 to 1975, at St. Thomas More from 1975 to 1985 and at St. Dominic from 1985 until his removal in 2002.
Mardaga, Ronald-In 1986, Father Ronald Mardaga admitted to sexually abusing a minor in the late 1970s. Father Mardaga’s faculties were removed in 1986. Father Mardaga served as a seminarian at Our Lady of Good Counsel, was ordained in 1980, and served at Resurrection (Ellicott City) in 1980 and from 1981 to 1984, at St. Pius X from 1980 to 1981 and at St. Stephen from 1984 to 1986.
Martin, Kenneth (Diocese of Wilmington)-In 2001, it was reported that Father Kenneth Martin had been arrested for child sex offenses relating to a time when he was a lay teacher at Loyola Blakefield High School in the 1970s. Ken Martin taught at Loyola Blakefield from 1970 to 1986, and he assisted as an organist at Nativity Church (Timonium) during this time. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Wilmington in 1989 and assisted occasionally at the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the late 1990s to early 2000s. He is on administrative leave from the Diocese of Wilmington and has no faculties to perform ministry.
Maskell, A. Joseph-In 1992, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father A. Joseph Maskell between 1968 and 1972. Father Maskell denied the allegation but agreed to undergo residential evaluation. The initial allegation could not be corroborated and Father Maskell returned to active ministry in 1993 to 1994. After additional allegations of abuse surfaced in 1994, the Archdiocese placed Father Maskell on a leave of absence and removed his faculties. He died in 2001. Father Maskell served at Sacred Heart of Mary (Baltimore) from 1965 to 1966, at St. Clement (Lansdowne) from 1966 to 1968 and at Our Lady of Victory from 1968 to 1970. He lived and assisted at St. Clement (Lansdowne) while serving at Archbishop Keough High School from 1970 to 1975 and at the Division of Schools from 1975 to 1980. He served at Annunciation from 1980 to 1982, at Holy Cross from 1982 to 1992 and at St. Augustine (Elkridge) from 1993 until being placed on administrative leave in 1994.
Maurer, Arthur (Josephite)-In 1997, the Archdiocese learned that Father Arthur Maurer had pled guilty in 1993 to a child sex offense that occurred out of state in 1992. Father Maurer died in 1993. He served at St. Francis Xavier from 1960 to 1961. He lived in Baltimore from 1966 to 1970, including service as a Chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital. He was retired and living in Baltimore from 1992 to 1993
McGrath, Francis (Diocese of Trenton)-In 1995, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Francis McGrath in the early 1970s when McGrath was a seminarian for the Diocese of Trenton at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore. The Archdiocese notified the Diocese of Trenton of this allegation. In 2002, another individual alleged abuse by McGrath in the mid 1970s. McGrath was a student at St. Mary’s Seminary from 1972 to 1974 and from 1976 to 1977, and was ordained by the Diocese of Trenton in 1978. He assisted with classes from Gilman School from 1972 to 1973, and served at Our Lady of Good Counsel (Baltimore) from 1973 to 1974, at Calvert Hall College High School from 1974 to 1976 and at St. Anthony of Padua (Baltimore) from 1976 to 1977.
Melville, Raymond (Diocese of Portland, Maine)– In 2001, a Maine newspaper article reported a lawsuit containing allegations of sexual abuse against Father Raymond Melville. In the article, the plaintiff’s attorney alleged abuse by Melville while he was a seminarian for the Diocese of Portland at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore. The attorney has not provided any further information regarding the claim. Melville left the priesthood in 1997. He was a student at St. Mary’s Seminary from 1979 to 1985 and was ordained by the Diocese of Portland in 1985. He served at Our Lady of Good Counsel (Baltimore) from 1980 to 1984 and at the University of Maryland Hospital from 1982 to 1983.
Michaud, Ronald-In 1989, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Ronald Michaud in the mid 1970s. Upon receiving this claim, the Archdiocese notified the Diocese of Portland (Maine), where Father Michaud was then a priest, which resulted in his being removed from ministry. Father Michaud served at St. Ann (Hagerstown) from 1973 to 1976 and at St. Rose of Lima from 1977 to 1978. In 1979, Father Michaud requested and was received as a priest of the Diocese of Portland (his home) and served there from 1979 to 1989.
Mike, John-Beginning in 1987, several individuals alleged physical and sexual abuse by Father John Mike in the mid 1970s to 1987. In 1987, the Archdiocese removed Father Mike’s faculties to perform ministry. Shortly thereafter, criminal charges were brought against Father Mike, who pled guilty to child abuse. Father Mike served at Most Precious Blood from 1974 to 1975, at Ascension (Halethorpe) from 1975 to 1981 and at St. Louis (Clarksville) from 1981 to 1987.
Murphy, Timothy (Trinitarian)– In 1999, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Timothy Murphy in late 1960s to early 1970s. The Archdiocese notified the Trinitarians of this allegation, and Father Murphy’s faculties to perform ministry were removed. Father Murphy served at DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville) from 1967 to 1969, at St. Charles Borromeo (Pikesville) from 1969 to 1972, at Holy Trinity Monastery from 1991 to 1999 and as part-time chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital (Towson) from 1997 to 1999.
Newman, Robert (Sons of Charity)-In 1987, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned that Father Robert Newman had admitted to sexually abusing several minors between the 1970s and mid 1980s. The Archdiocese informed the Sons of Charity of the incidents. Father Newman’s faculties were removed. Father Newman served at St. Jerome (Baltimore) from 1982 to 1985 and at Most Precious Blood from 1985 to 1987.
O’Toole, Henry (Redemptorist)– In 1992, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Henry O’Toole during the early 1970s. The Archdiocese notified the Redemptorists of this allegation. Father O’Toole served at Our Lady of Fatima from 1962 to 1980 and at St.Wenceslaus (Baltimore) from 1980 to 1983.
Pecore, Dennis (Salvatorian)-In 2002, an individual alleged sexual abuse in the mid 1970s by Dennis Pecore, who was then a religious brother. The Archdiocese notified the Salvatorians of the allegation. Dennis Pecore served at Holy Trinity (Glen Burnie) from 1975 to 1976. The Archdiocese has learned that after he left Maryland, Dennis Pecore became a priest and was later twice convicted of child sex offenses in Wisconsin. He was defrocked in 1995.
Rochacewcz, Thomas (Redemptorist)– In 1987, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Brother Thomas Rochacewicz in the early 1980s. The Archdiocese notified the Redemptorists of the allegation. Later, the Archdiocese received additional allegations of sexual abuse against Brother Rochacewicz which reportedly occurred in the mid 1970s to mid 1980s. Brother Rochacewicz served at St. Michael (Wolfe Street) from 1975 to 1986.
Rouse, Charles-In 1995, Father Charles Rouse disclosed that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with minors in the 1970s. Father Rouse resigned from his pastoral position and has had no faculties to perform any ministry since that time. Father Rouse served at St. Elizabeth of Hungary from 1976 to 1981, at St. Mark (Catonsville) from 1981 to 1983, at St. Isaac Jogues from 1983 to 1990, at St. Anthony of Padua from 1990 to 1992 and at St. Rose of Lima from 1992 to 1994.
Rydzewski, Thomas-In December 2001, federal investigators arrested Father Rydzewski on charges of child pornography. Father Rydzewski’s faculties to perform ministry were removed and he entered a residential treatment program. In July 2002, he pled guilty to possession of child pornography in federal court. Father Rydzewski served at St. Agnes from 1998 to 1999 and at the Cathedral Mary Our Queen from 2000 to 2001. Parents and parishioners at these parishes were informed of the charges and encouraged to contact the Archdiocese if they were aware of any abuse. The Archdiocese cooperated with investigators. The Archdiocese is not aware of any accusation of sexual contact between Father Rydzewski and any minor.
Simms, William-Beginning in 1985, numerous individuals alleged sexual abuse by Father William Simms from the 1960s to the early 1980s. Father Simms admitted to sexual misconduct with numerous minors. In 1985, Father Simms was removed from his assignment. After completing over two years of residential treatment (including a few months of supervised ministry at Sacred Heart Hospital in Cumberland while residing at St. Patrick, Cumberland in 1986), Father Simms was assigned to an administrative job at the Tribunal in the Catholic Center from 1987 to May 2002. Father Simms served at the Basilica of the Assumption from 1962 to 1966, at St. Joseph (Cockeysville) from 1966 to 1971, at St. Ursula from 1971 to 1978, at St. Joseph (Buckeystown) from 1978 to 1981 and at St. Andrew by the Bay from 1981 to 1985. He resided at the South Baltimore Clergy Residence on Warren Avenue from 1987 to 1992 and at St. Thomas Aquinas from 1992 to June 2002.
Smith, David-In 2002, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father David Smith in the early 1970s. Father Smith had requested a leave of absence in 2000 for unrelated reasons, and he has had no faculties to perform ministry since that time. Father Smith has denied the allegation. Father Smith served at St. Mark (Catonsville) from 1973 to 1980, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Essex) from 1980 to 1992 and at Our Lady of Good Counsel from 1992 to 2000.
Smith, Thomas-In 1988, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Thomas Smith in the early 1960s. Father Smith admitted to sexual misconduct with numerous minors in the 1960s. Following a psychiatric evaluation, Father Smith was permitted to continue in ministry but prohibited from working with children. In 1993, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Smith in the early 1980s. When confronted with the new allegation and his removal from the pastorate at St. Stephen Parish, Father Smith denied the allegation and then committed suicide. Since 1993, numerous individuals have reported sexual abuse by Father Smith in the 1950s to early 1980s. Father Smith served at St. Jane Frances (Riviera Beach) from 1950 to 1952, at St. Michael (Overlea) from 1952 to 1970, at Most Precious Blood from 1970 to 1973 and at St. Stephen (Bradshaw) from 1973 to 1993.
Spillane, Michael-In 1991, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Michael Spillane. Father Spillane admitted to sexual misconduct with a number of minors from the mid 1970s to early 1980s, and his faculties to perform public ministry were removed. In 2002, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Spillane occurring in the late 1960s. Father Spillane served at St. Thomas More from 1969 to 1973, at St. Paul (Ellicott City) from 1973 to 1975, at Our Lady of Fields in 1975 and at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton from 1975 to 1986. He worked at the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commission in Washington D.C. from 1986 until his resignation in 2002.
Stroup, Edmund-In 1992, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Edmund Stroup in about 1960. His faculties to perform any ministry were removed following this allegation. Father Stroup had retired in 1990. Reports of sexual abuse were raised regarding Father Stroup in 1975 and again in 1981. In 1981, Father Stroup was sent for residential treatment and returned to hospital ministry until his retirement. Father Stroup died in 2001. In 2002, the Archdiocese has received a number of reports of sexual abuse by Father Stroup. Father Stroup served at St. Charles Borromeo from 1949 to 1955, at St. John (Westminster) from 1955 to 1961, at St. Vincent de Paul from 1961 to 1973, at St. Rita from 1973 to 1975, at Holy Rosary in 1976, at St. Clement Mary Hofbauer from 1976 to 1977, at Our Lady of Sorrows and Holy Family Mission (Davidsonville) from 1977 to 1979, at Holy Family Mission (Davidsonville) from 1980 to 1981 and was in residence at St. Ursula and Immaculate Conception (Towson) while serving at Greater Baltimore Medical Center as Chaplain from 1982 to 1990.
Sweeney, Francis (Paulist)-In 1993, Father Francis Sweeney disclosed that he had sexually abused two individuals during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Archdiocese contacted the Paulists regarding this admission, and Father Sweeney was removed from active ministry. Father Sweeney served in campus ministry at the University of Maryland Baltimore County from 1972 to 1976 and again beginning in 1983; he served at the Catholic Community at Relay from 1982 to 1992, and as Chaplain at the Charlestown Retirement Community and at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel (Baltimore) from 1992 to 1993.
Toohey, Jerome-In 1993, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Jerome Toohey in the mid to late 1980s. Father Toohey denies the allegation. This matter was widely covered in the media. Father Toohey served at St. Francis of Assisi from 1977 to 1984, and as Chaplain at Calvert Hall High School from 1982 to 1993 and Chaplain to the Deaf Community from 1984 to 1993. During the 1980s to early 1990s, Father Toohey also served on the Board of Directors for John Carroll High School and assisted at St. John (Hydes). He has been on leave, without faculties to perform ministry, since 1993.
Toulas, James (Redemptorist)-In 1993, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father James Toulas during the late 1960s and early 1970s at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Father Toulas admitted to the abuse, which occurred while he was visiting Baltimore. The Archdiocese contacted the Redemptorists regarding this allegation, and Father Toulas’s faculties were removed. Father Toulas served at Our Lady of Fatima from 1981 to 1993.
Tragesser, Gerald-In 1958, Father Gerald Tragesser was accused of sexual abuse in the mid to late 1950s. In 1958, Father Tragesser was sent for treatment in New Mexico and never returned for assignment in Maryland. Father Tragesser served at Immaculate Heart of Mary from 1956 to 1957 and at St. Clare in 1958.
Wehrle, William (Jesuit)– Archdiocesan files reflect Father William Wehrle was accused of sexual abuse in the mid 1980s. As a result, Father Wehrle was removed from his parish. Father Wehrle died in 1995. He served at St. Alphonsus (Woodstock) from 1982 to 1985.