Religion

For decades, priests accused of abuse were sent for treatment that was ineffective or not medically based, and then returned to service, often in different states. Many went on to reoffend.

The investigation not only highlights the conduct of priests and church leaders, but also the actions — and inaction — of police officers, prosecutors and judges.

Sister Francis Marie Yocum is accused of sexually abusing a 16- or 17-year-old student who was taking private voice lessons.

Five priests are known to have abused children while serving at St. Mark. Another seven abused children before or after they served at the Catonsville parish.

Deep within the litany of outrages by the Catholic Church documented by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General report, there is a revelation as shocking as the predatory priests or the religious bureaucracy eager to hide its sins.

The filings kept on a handful of priests were known as “The Bad Boy Files,” 32 names were not to include on the church's credibly accused list, and colluding with the Archdiocese of Washington were revealed in the investigation.

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General on Wednesday released the 456-page grand jury report, but litigation over issues including redactions will continue to play out.

Maskell is accused of abusing at least 39 people and doing nothing about colleagues who also abused children.

The Scan: Inside the Catholic Church child sex abuse report, Frederick County sheriff indicted, Grayson Rodriguez debuts with the Orioles, and more.

The Banner has made a searchable database of every sex abuser identified in the report, including the 32 names not previously known publicly.

The examples include priests who asked victims to delay reporting their abuse so they could reach retirement age; prosecutors who agreed not to pursue criminal charges against known abusers; and even a secret deal with a Baltimore County judge to resolve a case quietly.

Baltimore Catholic church covered up ‘horrific and repeated abuse’ at children’s expense, report says. Check out more stories in our P.M. Scan newsletter.

“We have issued subpoenas. We have been looking into this matter. And we will continue to do so,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said on Wednesday.

Survivors of abuse by Baltimore Catholic Church personnel expressed relief that report was finally public, but some were disappointed so much information had been redacted.

The report identifies 158 priests — most of them already known — within the archdiocese accused of the “sexual abuse” and “physical torture” of more than 600 victims over the past 80 years. Investigators told the court there are likely hundreds more victims.

The report identified 158 priests who are accused of “sexual abuse” and “physical torture” of more than 600 people in the last 80 years.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Robert K. Taylor Jr. on Tuesday approved the release of the report “as the Office of the Attorney General shall see fit.”

Harassment and vandalism accounted for most of the spike, which gave the state the 10th highest number of antisemitic incidents in the country in 2022.

The month is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer reflection, and community.

There’s court battle over whether to permanently redact the names of some in the Archdiocese of Baltimore who are accused of committing or enabling abuse. Here’s how similar situations played out elsewhere.