The Archdiocese of Baltimore complies with Maryland laws requiring reporting suspected child abuse to civil authorities. Under Maryland Law any person who has reason to believe a child has been subjected to abuse must report the suspected abuse to civil authorities, even if the potential victim is now over 18 years old and even in cases where the alleged perpetrator is deceased.
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.
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Bishop Reporting Initiative
This initiative of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Independent Review Board creates a vehicle to assure proper reporting of allegations that a bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore:
- engaged in child sexual abuse or other inappropriate sexual behavior with a minor;
- engaged in sexual harassment or sexual misconduct toward an adult; or
- engaged in activities that constitute seriously negligent supervision or an improper cover-up relating to alleged child sexual abuse by others within the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Although the Vatican and U.S. Catholic bishops are considering a global or nationwide approach to addressing these issues, while such broader discussions are ongoing, the bishops of the Archdiocese of Baltimore have requested that the Independent Review Board establish a process for it to receive and ensure appropriate reporting of allegations. The Independent Review Board has responded with this local initiative, which is supported by the bishops of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Communications on Reports regarding Bishops: Effective immediately, staff for the Archdiocese of Baltimore reporting portals/hotlines (EthicsPoint and office of Child and Youth Protection) are instructed that all allegations in the three categories identified above against a bishop of the Archdiocese must be immediately forwarded to both Judge Joseph F. Murphy and Judge Ellen M. Heller. Also, those reporting portals will be configured to the extent possible so that allegations about bishops are automatically routed directly to Judges Murphy and Heller. Both Judges Murphy and Heller are members of the Independent Review Board (IRB) and are not employees, volunteers, or in any other position within the Archdiocese. The IRB was established in 1993 as a group of independent, interfaith, diverse, lay leaders to review in detail all actions taken by the Archdiocese in connection with allegations of child sexual abuse and provide counsel to the Archdiocese relating to its actions and policies for protecting children.
Communications materials about the portals/hotlines will be updated to emphasize that these allegations concerning bishops are being directed to these two members of the Independent Review Board who are not employees, volunteers, or in any other position with the Archdiocese.
Reporting and Procedures:
- If the allegation involves sexual abuse of a minor, Judges Murphy and Heller shall ensure that the matter is reported immediately to appropriate criminal and civil authorities. After consultation with the appropriate authorities, Judges Murphy and Heller shall report the allegation to the Independent Review Board, the papal nuncio in Washington, the senior suffragan bishop in the province (currently Bishop W. Francis Malooly of Wilmington, Delaware), counsel for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and (if the allegation is against an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore) the Archbishop of Baltimore. (Detailed child abuse reporting information is found at http://dhr.maryland.gov/child-protective-services/reporting-suspected-child-abuse-or-neglect/ ).
- If the allegation involves inappropriate sexual behavior with an adult as listed above, Judges Murphy and Heller shall determine whether the allegation must be reported to criminal authorities. Judges Murphy and Heller shall report the allegation to the Independent Review Board, the papal nuncio, the senior suffragan bishop in the province, counsel for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and (if the allegation is against an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore) the Archbishop of Baltimore.
- If the allegation is that the bishop engaged in activities that constitute seriously negligent supervision or an improper cover-up relating to alleged child sexual abuse by others within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Judges Murphy and Heller shall report the allegation to the Independent Review Board for its review and recommendations. The Independent Review Board may make additional inquiries and seek additional information from the bishop or others in the Archdiocese regarding the allegation’
- If the allegation is not in one of the three categories above (for example, if the allegation relates to a general complaint about a bishop such as poor homilies), Judges Murphy and Heller shall forward the allegation to the Chancellor of the Archdiocese for further review and response.
- If the allegation in one of the three categories above is against a bishop of a different diocese, Judges Murphy and Heller shall report the allegation to criminal and civil authorities if appropriate, and to the papal nuncio and the Archbishop of Baltimore.
