Who Was Father Albert Julian?

Father Albert Julian was a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore from 1958 to 1970. He passed away in June 2006. He has been listed in the 2023 Maryland Attorney General’s Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore as one of the 156 priests who were known abusers. Disturbingly, although he admitted to church officials that he had abused young girls and confessed urges to do so again, Julian was not laicized until he chose to get married in 1970 and, to this day, has still not been listed as credibly accused by the Catholic Church.

He also never faced legal consequences for his actions, and no efforts were taken to seek out and help potential victims.

These failures by the Archdiocese to protect the children under their care are inexcusable. Individuals in positions of power within the church were allowed to use their influence to meet and harm many victims without repercussions, leaving survivors with painful memories that would haunt them throughout their lives.

If you or a loved one were abused as a child by Father Albert Julian or another member of the clergy in Baltimore, our compassionate religious institution sexual abuse lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote can help you seek justice for the pain you’ve experienced. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation to learn how we can assist you: 866-311-8640.

What Positions Did Father Julian Hold in the Archdiocese of Baltimore?

Father Julian served in several different assignments in Baltimore during his time as a priest, including:

• Assistant Pastor, Saint Dominic’s (1958-1963)
• Assistant Pastor, Saint Patrick’s (1963-1964)
• Assistant Pastor, Saint William of York (1964-1967)
• Residence at Saint Paul’s (1967-1968)
• Part-time Assistant Pastor, Our Lady of Good Counsel (1968-1970)
• Tribunal Auditor, Saint Anthony of Padua (1969-1970)

In 1970, Father Julian requested to be laicized so he could get married. The Church granted his request, and he left the clergy that year.

When Did the Archdiocese Learn of Accusations Against Father Julian?

In 1968, the father of a young woman reported to the Archdiocese that he believed Father Julian had abused his daughter. This accusation was based on a letter from the priest to his daughter that he had intercepted. He threatened criminal charges against Julian and demanded that he be removed from any assignment that could place him in contact with young girls or women.

Was Any Action Taken to Protect Parishioners?

According to documentation cited in the Attorney General’s report, Cardinal Shehan spoke to Father Julian about the accusations in 1968. Shockingly, Julian admitted to the abuse and confessed that he’d had uncontrollable urges toward young girls and had “yielded to temptation from time to time.” Despite these admissions, the Archdiocese chose not to inform the parishioners, follow up on the accusations against Julian, or attempt to identify other victims. They also did not report his misconduct to the authorities.

Instead, Julian was supposedly given psychiatric treatment and removed from active work in the parish. He was placed into a desk job that did not see him interact directly with parishioners. However, he was still a member of the community and church, and parishioners were unaware of his history, so he may have continued to abuse children.

Were There Other Victims?

Based on Julian’s own admission, he had already committed several acts of child sexual abuse by 1968. In 2002, a woman came forward alleging that Julian had abused her in the 1960s when she was a student at St. William of York.

The abuse lasted throughout her high school years and occurred as often as two or three times a week. Although the Archdiocese did make the mandatory report to the authorities following this accusation, they did not mention that they had known of Julian’s abusive behaviors in 1968. The victim ended up declining to press charges.

How Can Victims of Father Julian and Other Priests Named in the Report Seek Justice?

Considering his confessions of abuse, it is highly possible that other victims of Father Julian may exist. It can be emotionally challenging for those who were abused by clergy members to tell their stories, even after many years. As Father Julian’s story shows, the Archdiocese of Baltimore not only failed to protect the children in their churches and schools but, at times, actively covered up known criminal acts and continued to employ child abusers, causing untold harm.

For many years, Maryland law placed time limits on reporting child abuse, preventing victims from filing cases as adults. However, as of 2023, the state legislature has approved a temporary elimination of the statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases. This action allows victims to file a civil lawsuit, regardless of when the abuse occurred.

Even if the abusers have passed away, as is the case for Father Julian, the religious institutions that failed to take steps to protect victims may be held liable.

How Can Our Law Firm Help You?

Child sexual abuse by individuals within the church can cause severe trauma that results in life-long struggles. Many survivors of abuse face battles with PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse issues, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships. The attempts by the Archdiocese in the past to protect known abusers and hide their horrific actions are unconscionable, and our firm believes all victims deserve accountability and justice.

If you or a family member suffered abuse at the hands of Father Julian or another member of the church as a child, the lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote are here to assist you in finding closure. Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation to learn more about your legal options: 866-311-8640.