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What Does the Maryland Attorney General’s Report Say About Abusive Priests in St. Patrick Parish in Cumberland?
Following a five-year investigation, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office released a disturbing 450+ page report in 2023 that details the history of pervasive and persistent child abuse by clergy and other Catholic Church personnel within the Archdiocese of Baltimore from the 1940s to today. Within the introduction to this report, the AG notes that certain parishes, including St. Patrick, had multiple abusers over the years. This fact underscores how widespread the abuse was and highlights the role of the Church hierarchy in systematically ignoring or covering up accusations against priests.
The fact that one parish could be home to multiple credibly accused priests, albeit over several decades, is shocking. It demonstrates how dreadfully the Baltimore Archdiocese failed at protecting children from known predators. If you were a victim of an abusive priest at St. Patrick Parish or elsewhere, our experienced sexual abuse lawyers can help you seek justice for the harm you’ve suffered. Contact our law office to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with a lawyer who is ready to advocate for your rights.
Who Were the Priests Named in the Report Who Lived or Worked in St. Patrick Parish?
The Attorney General’s report lists seven priests who have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse who were assigned to St. Patrick Parish at some point during their service:
- Monsignor Thomas Bevan: Pastor at St. Patrick’s, 1997-2009.
- Father Laurence Brett: Performed summer work at St. Patrick, 1969.
- Father George Hopkins: Pastor at St. Patrick’s Church, 1965-1966.
- Father Robert Hopkins: Associate Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, 1982.
- Father Regis Larkin: Pastor, St. Patrick’s, 1974-1981.
- Father John Mountain: Assistant Pastor, St. Patrick’s, 1931-1941.
- Father John Wielebski: Pastor, St. Patrick’s Church, 1991-1996.
While some of these priests are known to have engaged in abusive acts during their time at St. Patrick’s, others were accused by individuals while assigned to other parishes. However, this does not mean that they did not also harm children while at St. Patrick’s. In many cases, instances of priestly abuse have gone unreported or undocumented. If you or a loved one were abused by one of these priests, another clergy member, a nun, or a layperson affiliated with the Church while you lived in St. Patrick Parish in Cumberland, contact our law firm today to discuss your legal rights.
How Could So Many Abusive Priests End Up in One Parish?
St. Patrick Parish was just one of the locations named in the report with multiple abusers over the years. These clusters of abusive priests could be due to many factors. The Archdiocese of Baltimore displayed a disturbing determination to continue the employment of accused priests while desperately attempting to avoid scandals. To achieve this end, they often simply moved priests to new assignments in other parishes following accusations. They also took the preferences of the priests into account when reassigning them. These priests may have asked for a particular parish, such as St. Patrick, because they knew other abusers were present there or there were supervisors willing to ignore their reprehensible behavior, allowing them to continue abusing children without repercussions.
While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for the confluence of abusive priests at St. Patrick Parish, what is clear is the complete lack of regard for the safety of children shown by the Archdiocese and others within the Church. Parishioners were not warned, and priests who had admitted to sexually abusing children were kept within the clergy and given access to new, unsuspecting victims. This inexcusable behavior led to an epidemic of abuse within Baltimore parishes for many years that caused irreparable harm to hundreds of children, and new accusations are still coming to light.
Is It Possible to Bring a Civil Suit if the Abuse Occurred Decades Ago?
Victims of childhood sexual abuse, particularly abuse perpetrated by members of the clergy, often find it challenging to bring their accusations to the authorities. They may face threats from their abusers or others within the Church or are made to believe their abuse is acceptable or a necessary part of their religious practice. Even if they brought their accusations to authorities, the Attorney General’s report contains many instances of the Archdiocese ignoring or hiding the actions of abusive priests. In some cases, they even went so far as to actively make attempts to discredit the victims and their families.
It’s no wonder many victims either abandon their attempts to seek justice or choose to stay quiet for many years. Recently, states have begun to recognize the injustices presented by the strict statutes of limitations on child sexual abuse allegations and have explored options for remedying these issues. Maryland is poised to pass a law in 2023 that would allow victims of child sexual abuse to bring civil claims against their abusers and/or the Church, regardless of when the abuse occurred.
This act would allow victims the chance to get closure and compensation for the long-term effects caused by the horrific abuse they experienced. However, prompt action is vital because the window for filing a claim may only be temporary in some places, and you do not want to lose your chance at holding those responsible for your abuse accountable. To learn more about the status of the Maryland bill and similar bills in other states, contact Andreozzi + Foote at 866-311-8640 to speak to a knowledgeable religious institution sexual abuse lawyer today.
