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Were You Harmed by Father John Banko or Any Other Clergy Members Named in the Maryland Attorney General’s Report on Child Sexual Abuse?
The Maryland Attorney General’s 463-page Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore details many disturbing reports of assault perpetrated by Catholic clergy members over several decades. Infuriatingly, many of these incidents could have been prevented if church officials had acted upon the initial reports of victims. This fact is heartbreakingly true in the case of Father John Banko. In 1992, a victim reported an attempted assault by the priest that had occurred in the 1970s.
However, the Archdiocese took no action and instead relegated the accusation to its so-called “bad boy” files. In the following years, Banko viciously assaulted at least two more children, leading to multiple criminal convictions.
If you or a loved one were a victim of Father John Banko, you deserve justice for the harm caused by his acts and the negligence of church officials who chose to look the other way. Our experienced and compassionate religious institution sexual abuse lawyers can help guide you through the legal process and advocate for your rights.
Who Was Father John Banko and Where Did He Serve?
Father Banko was a priest mainly assigned to churches in the Diocese of Trenton and Metuchen in New Jersey from the 1970s to 2000. However, his seminary studies and first assignment were in Maryland. He has been accused of abuse during this early timeframe as well as later in his career, which resulted in his inclusion in the Maryland AG’s report. His known assignments include:
- St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland (1970-1972, and possibly earlier)
- St. Joseph, Cockeysville, Maryland (1971)
- Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey (1972)
- St. Charles Borromeo Church, Skillman, New Jersey (1982-1989)
- St. Edward the Confessor Church, Milford, New Jersey (1989-1996)
- Mary Mother of God Church, Hillsborough, New Jersey (1996-2000)
What Are the Accusations Against Father Banko?
Father John Banko is one of the few abusers in the AG’s report who faced criminal charges and served jail time for his assaults on minors. The prosecutor’s office in charge of his case described him as a “repetitive and compulsive” sex offender. The earliest recorded accusation was made to the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1992 by a man who claimed Banko had touched him inappropriately and attempted to sexually proposition him in 1972 when he was 15 or 16 years old.
In 1972, Banko was a seminarian at St. Mary’s. The individual made the report because he knew Father Banko was still currently among the clergy and was concerned he could be harming other boys. The report did not name Banko directly but was placed in his file by the Archbishop. However, the matter was not investigated further, no reports were made to civil authorities, and there’s no indication the Bishop overseeing Banko was ever informed.
No action was taken until 2002, when another victim accused Banko of abusing him from 1970 to 1980. The victim was seven years old when the abuse began. The boy was a student with learning disabilities who had been in Banko’s religious studies classes. Horrifyingly, the abuse continued even after Banko moved to new assignments, as he would frequently come back to Baltimore to visit the victim’s family.
These accusations led to a criminal investigation in New Jersey. The investigation uncovered other incidents of child sexual abuse in the early to mid-1990s. Banko was convicted in 2003 of aggravated sexual assault of a minor and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Another conviction followed in 2006 after a third victim came forward, and an additional 26 years were added to Banko’s sentence. He was listed as credibly accused by the Archdiocese in 2002 and died in 2016.
How Did the Archdiocese Fail the Victims of Clergy Abuse?
From all appearances, the Baltimore Archdiocese did not act on the first victim’s information in 1992. Banko remained in his position, parishioners were never warned of his past acts, and his access to children remained unfettered. This blatant disregard for the safety of the children in the Church’s care allowed the priest’s abusive actions to continue. The assaults that brought about his eventual conviction all occurred after the initial report had been made.
The Church’s inaction was inexcusable and exposed children to unspeakable acts perpetrated by an individual in a position of power whom they had been taught to trust and respect. Banko even threatened victims that he would harm their parents if they spoke of the abuse. Sickeningly, in 2002, an official within the Baltimore Archdiocese flippantly referred to the reports detailing the abuse accusations against Banko and other seminarians as the “bad boy” files. This description showcases the lack of concern and empathy Catholic church officials had for the suffering these individuals inflicted upon their victims.
How Can Our Firm Help You Seek Justice?
We understand that it can be incredibly hard for victims of childhood sexual abuse to speak up about their experiences. The trauma caused by an assault is often complex and can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and fear. Many survivors of clergy abuse struggle with lifelong difficulties, such as PTSD, substance abuse, depression, difficulty maintaining relationships, and more.
Filing a lawsuit cannot undo the suffering and harm you or your loved one has endured. However, it does allow you to hold those responsible for the abuse liable for their intentional or negligent acts. Telling your story and seeking justice can be a valuable part of the healing process.
Recent changes to Maryland law have temporarily removed the statute of limitations on child sexual assault cases. Victims now have the opportunity to bring a claim no matter when the abuse occurred. Other states have also passed or are considering similar legislation.
Even when the perpetrator has died, as is the case with Father Banko, victims may be able to hold the religious institution responsible for their failure to protect them from known abusers. However, taking prompt action is critical, as the state’s “lookback window” for claims is likely to only be open for a short time. Contact our compassionate lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote at 866-311-8640 for a free, confidential case evaluation.
