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What Does the Maryland Attorney General’s Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore Say About Father Bauernfeind?
The 2023 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore resulted from extensive investigations by the Attorney General’s office into years of accusations against members of the clergy in Maryland. One alarming trend noted in the report was the role senior members of the Church played in perpetrating and covering up abuse. One such individual cited explicitly in the report’s introduction is Father Thomas J. Bauernfeind.
Bauernfeind served in influential roles in the chancery and even held the office of Chancellor from 1975 to 1978. During this time, he was also perpetrating child abuse. Despite admitting to acts of abuse in 1987, Bauernfeind faced no consequences from the Archdiocese and was allowed to continue serving as a priest until 2002. The repeated failures of the Church to prevent abuse or hold known abusers accountable have inexcusably placed many young parishioners at risk. If you suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Father Bauernfeind or another clergy member, our skilled religious institution sexual abuse lawyers can help you determine your legal options.
Where Did Father Thomas J. Bauernfeind Serve?
Father Bauernfeind’s time in the Archdiocese of Baltimore spanned three decades and saw him in several roles within many parishes, including:
- Associate Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, Baltimore, MD (1964-1968)
- Associate Pastor, Holy Cross, Baltimore, MD (1968)
- Assistant Chancellor, Catholic Center, Baltimore, MD (1968-1971)
- Canon law studies at Catholic University, Washington, D.C. (1969-1970)
- Vice Chancellor, Catholic Center, Baltimore, MD (1971-1975)
- Chancellor, Catholic Center, Baltimore, MD (1975-1978)
- Temporary Administrator, St. Mark Parish, Catonsville, MD (1978-1979)
- Pastor, St. Lawrence, Woodlawn, MD (1979-1988)
- Pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Middle River, MD (1988-1991)
- Associate Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, Baltimore, MD (1992-1995)
- Associate Pastor, Most Precious Blood, Baltimore, MD (1995-1996)
- Rector, St. Alphonso, Baltimore, MD (1996-1998)
- Retired and in residence, Shrine of the Little Flower, Baltimore, MD (1998)
What Sexual Abuse Allegations Did He Admit To?
Bauernfeind served in the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Baltimore from 1968 to 1978. During the majority of this time, he lived in the rectory of St. Anthony of Padua in Baltimore. In 1987, a young woman came forward to accuse Bauernfeind of abusing her ten years prior. At the time of the abuse, she was 16 and working in the St. Anthony rectory. Bauernfeind repeatedly made sexual advances toward the victim, including fondling, kissing, and making lewd comments. On several occasions, he tried to molest her as she brought him food in his rooms as part of her employment.
At one point, he even locked her in his room and attempted to forcibly remove her clothing and assault her.
The victim reported Bauernfeind’s abuse to at least three different officials within the Church before 1987. She felt the officials did not find her credible because of her young age, and the Archdiocese took no action. Following her report and an internal investigation in 1987, Bauernfeind admitted to the abuse.
However, the only repercussions for his actions were a four-day evaluation at the International Therapeutic Center for Clergy and Religious at the House of Affirmation in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, and outpatient therapy. He retained his employment and was subsequently recommended for a new position in 1988 as a pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Middle River, Maryland.
The officials within the Archdiocese who were aware of the accusations and Bauernfeind’s admission made inquiries of the State Attorney’s Office about the extent of their reporting requirements without mentioning him by name. They were informed that the incident fell outside the statute of limitations for child abuse at that time, but the priest could face charges of assault, battery, and attempted rape. Shockingly, the Archdiocese did not attempt to identify other victims and did not make a mandated report of the abuse to authorities until 2002. Bauernfeind retired in 1998 but had his priestly faculties removed in 2002 when the Archdiocese finally listed him as credibly accused.
What Was the Nature of the Other Credible Accusation Against Father Bauernfeind?
In 2002, another woman came forward to accuse Bauernfeind of sexual abuse during the mid-1970s when she was a 17-year-old working as his secretary in the Archdiocese’s central offices. Frighteningly, this abuse continued as the young woman grew up and was preparing to marry. Bauernfeind used his power and position to bully her into allowing him to officiate her wedding. He also threatened that if she and her fiance did not go through marriage counseling with him, he would ensure she would be disallowed from marrying within the Catholic Church.
Bauernfeind’s abuse of the victim continued throughout her premarital counseling sessions. It culminated in an attempted rape where he tied her hands and ripped her clothing while telling her no one would believe her if she reported him. The victim was able to escape. Immediately afterward, a deacon saw her in a disheveled and partially unclothed state and asked if she was okay. However, no actions were ever taken to help her or hold Bauernfeind accountable. The victim tried to report the abuse to Church authorities twice before 2002, but the Archdiocese quickly covered it up.
How Did the Archdiocese’s Handling of the Accusations Cause Irreparable Harm?
Heartbreakingly, the AG’s report notes, “Both victims recounted much trauma in their lives due to the abuse.” Individuals within the Catholic Church are taught from a young age to respect the authority and actions of priests and other clergy members. Abuse by an influential religious figure not only causes mental and physical harm but can also cause a spiritual crisis for victims. When the damage of the sexual abuse is compounded by the frustration and shame of having claims dismissed or actively covered up, the results can be life-shattering.
Survivors of clergy abuse often suffer from mental health effects, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as higher levels of substance abuse issues, difficulty in interpersonal relationships, and an increased chance of self-harm or suicide.
How Can an Experienced Law Firm Help You Tell Your Story?
The Archdiocese of Baltimore not only failed these two victims over and over, but they knowingly allowed a predator to remain in their midst with access to many more potential victims. Based on his remarks to the second young woman during the attempted rape, it appears he had been emboldened by his ability to get away with his actions and believed that no one would listen to his victims.
If these two survivors of Bauernfeind’s abuse had not been adamant about continuing to recount their experiences, the priest’s terrible actions may have gone unreported. However, there may be others with similar stories who were prevented from speaking up or were intimidated into staying silent.
If you or a loved one were abused by Father Bauernfeind or another member of the clergy, our compassionate legal team at Andreozzi + Foote can help you seek the justice you deserve. We have extensive experience assisting and supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Contact our law firm today at 866-311-8640 to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation to learn more about your legal rights.
