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What Does the Maryland Attorney General’s Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore say about St. Mary’s Industrial School?
The 2023 Maryland Attorney General’s report is the result of a lengthy investigation into child sexual abuse spanning decades by members of the clergy and others within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The allegations it contains of the abuse at St. Mary’s Industrial School are disturbing and imply a widespread problem within the institution. In the 463-page report, no less than five former employees of the school are named as credibly accused child sex offenders.
Tragically, the children at St. Mary’s were highly vulnerable due to their backgrounds and histories prior to being sent to the boarding school, and once there, they could not easily leave. Most had no one to turn to. Even when incidents were reported at the time, no action was taken by Church officials to help the students or remove the offenders. While the abuses happened many years ago, the Baltimore Archdiocese’s inexcusable failure to protect these children is still as relevant now as it was then.
What Was St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys?
St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys was an orphanage and boarding school in Baltimore that operated from 1866 to 1950. It was also used as a “reform school,” and local courts often sentenced troubled youth to attend the school to learn trades and life skills. The school was run by the Xaverian Brothers, a Catholic institute dedicated to education.
The school’s most famous alumni was baseball player Babe Ruth, who assisted with raising funds to rebuild the school after a fire destroyed the campus in 1919. After the closing of the St. Mary’s Industrial School in 1950, the campus was renovated and reopened as the Cardinal Gibbons School, which was run by the Archdiocese of Baltimore until 2010.
What Types of Abuse Happened at St. Mary’s Industrial School?
While the school’s mission to provide education, training, and stability for boys from difficult circumstances sounded noble, the reality of life at St. Mary’s was far from idyllic. In 1995, a man reported that he had been sexually abused for three years, beginning in 1945, by multiple Xaverian Brothers and a Passionist priest who served as Chaplain at the school. The victim was only 13 when the abuse started. He also named other probable abuse victims who attended the school at the same time. Additionally, he claimed boys at the school were subjected to physical punishments as a method of discipline.
A second man came forward in 2002 to report that his father had been physically and sexually abused by a Brother in 1947-1948 after being sent to the school by his parents. The reporter’s father followed up by speaking to the Archdiocese. The victim said Brother Marius (John Francis Shine) would bring a different boy into his rooms every night. On the night the victim was chosen, Shine attempted to molest him and beat him for resisting.
Based on this report, it seems likely that many boys were abused by Shine but had been intimidated into keeping quiet. The victim also stated that Shine was not the only Brother who was molesting children at the school at this time. The victim attempted to run away from St. Mary’s multiple times but was always sent back. He finally told his parents of the abuse, and they reported it to the Archdiocese and the head of the school. When no action was taken, his parents removed him from St. Mary’s.
Who Has Been Credibly Accused of Abusing Minors at St. Mary’s?
In their reports, the men named four individuals whom they accused of molesting them:
- Brother Luanus (Lawrence Meegan)
- Brother Benedict Joseph (Thomas F. Kelly)
- Brother Fabian (Francis Dolan)
- Brother Marius (John Francis Shine)
- Father Timothy McGrath
From the 1940s to 1970s, these individuals are known to have served at other locations in Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. Because the Xaverian Brothers are focused on education, the Brothers’ later assignments included high schools, prep schools, and other places where they had extensive contact with children and teens. It is possible other unreported victims exist from St. Mary’s and elsewhere. Meegan, Kelly, Dolan, and Shine were all listed as credibly accused by the Archdiocese and Xaverian Brothers in 2019.
Can You Still Seek Justice if You Were Abused at St. Mary’s?
St. Mary’s Industrial School was closed many decades ago, and the abusers listed in the AG’s report have all passed away. But the harm they caused to victims and their families lives on. The trauma inflicted by religious institution sexual abuse, especially when it is perpetrated on children, can leave deep scars that last a lifetime. No matter when the abuse occurred, all victims deserve to have their stories heard and get the opportunity to seek justice and compensation from the negligent entities who failed to uphold their duty to protect them from predators.
In the past, child sexual assault victims often faced an uphill battle to bring their abusers to justice. It frequently takes many years for an abuse survivor to feel comfortable speaking out about their experiences. In that time, the statute of limitations may expire, preventing them from taking legal action. However, the Maryland legislature passed a law in 2023 that temporarily removes the time limits for filing a child sexual abuse case, opening the potential for victims from St. Mary’s Industrial School to finally get their day in court. This lookback window will likely not last for long, so it is vital to take prompt action to protect your legal rights.
How Can Our Firm Help You?
If you or your loved one was a victim of sexual abuse at St. Mary’s Industrial School in Baltimore, our compassionate lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote can assist you with all aspects of filing a claim. We have extensive experience helping childhood assault survivors, and we understand both the emotional and legal challenges involved in these types of cases. To schedule a free, confidential case evaluation today, contact our law firm at 866-311-8640.
