Accountability

“We must make clear that we will not tolerate criminal and evil behavior, regardless of the rank and standing of the accused.” — Archbishop William E. Lori

Reporting

Report Abuse

The Archdiocese of Baltimore complies with Maryland laws requiring reporting suspected child abuse to law enforcement. Under Maryland Law any person who has reason to believe a child has been subjected to abuse must report the suspected abuse to law enforcement, even if the potential victim is now over 18 years old and even in cases where the alleged perpetrator is deceased. To make a report, click here.

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.

If you have reason to believe that a bishop has engaged in child sexual abuse or other sexual misconduct*, or has interfered with an investigation into sexual misconduct, please click here. To view a detailed description of the archdiocesan protocols for receiving and investigating a report of abuse by a bishop, click here

* Under Pope Francis’s Vos estis lux mundi and the Directives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the following forms of misconduct by bishops should be reported using this dedicated reporting system: 1) forcing someone, by violence or threat or through abuse of authority, to perform or submit to sexual acts; 2) performing sexual acts with a minor or a vulnerable person; 3) the production, exhibition, possession or distribution, including by electronic means, of child pornography, as well as by the recruitment of or inducement of a minor or a vulnerable person to participate in pornographic exhibitions; and 4) actions or omissions intended to interfere with or avoid civil investigations or canonical investigations, whether administrative or penal, against a cleric or a religious regarding the misconduct referred to in 1-3 above.

Report Ethical Violations

The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to ethical behavior and accountability. To make a report regarding violations of ethical behavior, visit the secure EthicsPoint site here.

Categories for reporting include: accounting/financial; confidentiality; fraud/theft; gifts/donations; harassment/inappropriate behavior; misuse of resources; workplace safety; child and youth protection and school safety.

Repentance, Reform and Renewal

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to view a fact sheet about FAQs concerning the abuse crisis and the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s response.

Accountability

Click here for a listing of accountability measures in place to ensure transparency and clear mechanisms for reporting sexual or financial abuse by bishops, clergy or church employees in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Five Things to Know

Click here for the “Five Things to Know” about financial transparency within the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

How the Church Responds ...

Click here to download an informational graphic about the abuse crisis and the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s response.

Clergy Accused of Abuse

The Archdiocese of Baltimore takes seriously all allegations of sexual abuse against members of its clergy and publicly names those members of the clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse. The list is regularly updated as new allegations arise or new information comes to light. 

All allegations of child sexual abuse are reported to law enforcement regardless of credibility, and victims are offered counseling assistance with a counselor of their own choosing.

View the Maryland Attorney General report on clergy sexual abuse by clicking here

2002 Catholic Review Report on Abuse

Read a special section of the Catholic Review published in 2002 that includes information about the decision to release names of those accused of abuse.

Independent Review Board

The Independent Review Board, made up mostly of lay people and headed by Dr. Jay A. Perman, is an interfaith group including representatives from the legal community and law enforcement, health care, academia and social work.

Board members review individual allegations of abuse and help shape archdiocesan child protection policies.

“They make sure that we actually live up to our policies … to make sure that we are living up to the promises of our policy and of the charter,” said Jerri Burkhardt, director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the archdiocese.

2020 Annual Child Protection Report

Click here to download the 2020 Annual Child Protection Reports of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Independent Review Board (IRB) and of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Independent Review Board Members

Dr. Jay A. Perman, MD (Chairman)

Chancellor of the University System of Maryland

Frederick H. Bealefeld III

Former police commissioner of Baltimore City

Beverly A. Cooper

Vice president, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, Inc.

Monsignor Robert J. Jaskot

Pastor of St. Mary-St. Francis-Holy Family Catholic Community, Frederick County

Sister Patricia M. McCarron, S.S.N.D., PhD.

Headmistress, Notre Dame Preparatory School, Towson

Mary Page Michel

Community volunteer

Iona R. Rudisill

Anti-human trafficking and exploitation program manager, Baltimore Child Abuse Center

Judge Alexander Wright

Retired Associate Judge of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals

Resources

Office of Child and Youth Protection

Click here to learn more about the Office of Youth and Child Protection
and its role in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

News Coverage

WYPR Interview

Archbishop William E. Lori was a guest on WYPR’S “Midday” program, discussing the meeting of U.S. Catholic bishops in Baltimore and the Catholic Church’s response to the sexual abuse crisis. Click play on the accompanying video link.

Catholic Review News & Commentary

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Other News Coverage

OFFICAL STATEMENTS

Archdiocese of Baltimore Adds to its List of Accused Priests and Brothers

The Archdiocese of Baltimore updated its online List of Priests and Brothers Accused of Child Sexual Abuse following a recommendation Archbishop William E. Lori made to the Independent Review Board.
Read More

Archdiocese of Baltimore Investigating Allegation of Abuse from the 1970s Against Josephite Priest

The Archdiocese of Baltimore received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor involving Fr. Philip Linden, S.S.J., a Josephite priest, while he was serving at St. Francis Xavier Church...
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Archbishop Lori talking

A Message from Archbishop William E. Lori on the Maryland Attorney General’s Report

The report details a reprehensible time in the history of this Archdiocese, a time that will not be covered up, ignored or forgotten.
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Statement of the Archdiocese of Baltimore that it will not oppose the public release of the Attorney General’s report

The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to transparency.  We believe that transparency is necessary to rebuild the trust that has been damaged by evil acts of abuse committed by representatives...
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Mensaje del Arzobispo Lori sobre la moción para publicar el Informe del Fiscal General

Al leer la moción de hoy, sentimos una renovada vergüenza, un profundo remordimiento y una sincera simpatía, muy especialmente hacia aquellos que sufrieron por las acciones de los representantes de...
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Homilies & Remarks

Click here for a sampling of homilies and other remarks by priests and deacons of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

A Response to the Netflix Series, "The Keepers"

Promise to Protect and Promote Healing

Watch video interviews with key figures and access fact sheets, statements, news articles and other resources.

Additional Media

Videos

Auxiliary Bishop Adam J. Parker Discusses Publishing of New Names

Bishop Adam J. Parker comments on the publishing of the names of 23 deceased priests added to the Archdiocese’s online list of clergy accused of child sexual abuse. (April 24, 2019)

Holy Week Message

Archbishop William E. Lori shares a Holy Week message with the people of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. (April 17, 2019)

Archbishop Lori Hosts Media Briefing

Archbishop William E. Lori hosted a media briefing Jan. 15 at the Catholic Center in Baltimore to discuss the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s ongoing response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. (Jan. 15, 2019)

Message to the Faithful

In the wake of the recent meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore, Archbishop William E. Lori delivered the following special message via video and audio in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore. (Nov. 17-18, 2018)

Day of Reparation

Archbishop William E. Lori discusses the Sept. 7 Day of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. (Aug. 29, 2018)

Message from Archbishop Lori

Archbishop William E. Lori discusses the Church’s response to the ongoing sexual abuse crisis. (Aug. 29, 2018)

A Reflection by Archbishop William E. Lori

Archbishop William E. Lori discusses clergy child sexual abuse and accountability.  (Aug. 14, 2018)

Charter for The Protection of Children and Young People

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, a comprehensive set of procedures established by the USCCB in June 2002 for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy, is marking its 15th anniversary. (Oct. 30, 2017)

Catholic Baltimore Radio Interviews

Dr. Thomas Plante

Dr. Thomas Plante, a professor of psychology at Santa Clara University and adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, discusses misconceptions about clergy sexual abuse. Listen above.

Bishop Adam Parker on Response

Bishop Adam Parker speaks about the Archdiocese of Baltimore response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. Listen above.

Accountability, Archbishop William E. Lori

Archbishop Lori speaks about accountability during an Aug. 12, 2018 radio interview. Listen above.

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

Jerri Burkhardt, director of the archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection, speaks about the charter for the protection of children in a Sept. 24, 2017 radio interview. Listen above.

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