What Is Happening in the Archdiocese of Baltimore?
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office has completed a four-year investigation of allegations of abuse in the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, committed by priests, teachers and other archdiocese employees. The Archdiocese of Baltimore includes 153 parishes, 40 elementary schools and 18 high schools.
The public outcry over these abuses by clergy and other Church staff members has prompted many survivors to come forward. Those who suffered in silence for years finally have learned they are not alone. Indeed, in recent years, thousands of victims have come forward with their stories of sexual misconduct at the hands of Catholic Church staff. Many more survivors are expected to come forward with passage of the Maryland Child Victims Act, which will go into effect on October 1st.
This new bill will abolish the statute of limitations that has stopped countless survivors of clergy sexual abuse from taking legal action. These survivors can finally have their voices heard and get the opportunity to seek damages for the suffering they’ve been forced to keep to themselves for so long.
Survivor & Advocate Stories
David Schappelle: Survivor
Steven J. Kelly, Esquire: Survivor
Christopher ‘Kit’ Bateman: Survivor
Rev. Debra Rhodes: Survivor
Gemma Hoskins: An Advocate for Survivors
Carolyn Surrick: Survivor
Kurt Rupprecht: Survivor
Donna Von Den Bosch: Survivor
Frank Schindler: Survivor
Mary Beth Diaz: Family Member of Survivor
You Are Not Alone. Jenner Law Is Here to Help Survivors of Clergy Abuse.
If the passage of the Maryland Child Victims Act allows you to take legal action for the abuse you’ve suffered, our firm can provide the compassionate legal counsel you need to feel comfortable and secure about coming forward with a claim. From simply listening to your story without judgment to helping you navigate the complexities of compensation programs, we are ready to help Baltimore clergy abuse survivors find justice and healing.
Our injury law firm of legal professionals and advocates has more than three decades of experience working with survivors of sexual abuse and litigating cases against Catholic dioceses and religious orders nationwide. Contact us today. Your information will remain completely confidential.
What Are you Doing to Help Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors?
We believe sexual predators — and their institutional enablers — need to be held accountable for their horrendous actions. Our lawyers and professional, trauma-informed, and trained staff seek to hold the Church accountable to the fullest extent of the law and help our clients move forward toward healing.
We support the efforts of the Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests (“SNAP”). It’s one way Jenner Law is helping survivors use their voices to hold the Church accountable to the fullest extent of the law. By supporting SNAP, it’s our goal to help our clients move forward toward healing. We hope you will consider supporting SNAP, as well, and have provided a convenient link to its website.
Donate to the Survivors Network of those Abused by PriestsNews Updates & Announcements
Timeline: Events leading to Archdiocese of Baltimore child sex abuse investigation
Posted on: March 14, 2023 | Author: Rob JennerToday is the deadline for attorneys to submit their suggested redactions to a 456-page investigation into the history of child sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It’s one of the final steps before Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Robert Taylor releases the long-awaited report that details the “sexual abuse” and “physical torture” of more than …
With Gov. Wes Moore’s support, survivors hope this is the year the Child Victims Act finally passes
Posted on: March 6, 2023 | Author: Rob JennerMore than 25 survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their advocates gathered Thursday afternoon in a legislative hearing room in Annapolis, Maryland to once again share their stories for lawmakers and the public. Some of them shook as they spoke, some held back tears and others flat-out refused to talk about the past for their …
News Story: Maryland mulls ending child sexual abuse lawsuit time limits
Posted on: February 24, 2023 | Author: Rob JennerANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Adults who testified they were sexually abused as children urged Maryland lawmakers on Thursday to end the state’s statute of limitations for when civil lawsuits can be filed against institutions related to child sexual abuse. Read the full news story here: https://bit.ly/3IvBFxg
GET THE BREAKING NEWS ON THE BALTIMORE CLERGY ABUSE LAWSUIT
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Catholic priests bless same-sex couples in defiance of a German archbishop
Biographer, Friends Reflect on Life and Legacy of Cardinal Francis George
Compensating all claims of abuse: Archdiocese considers Chapter 11 reorganization
Catholic priests bless same-sex couples in defiance of a German archbishop - Head Topics
Supporting Documents
| Date | Description | Source |
| September 21, 2023 | Maryland Father of Five Shares His Clergy Abuse Survival Horror, Hails New Child Victims Act | Jenner Law |
| June 2, 2023 | Hundreds of people are set to sue the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore for sex abuse | NPR |
| May 22, 2023 | “They took my innocence, they took my soul . . ” Abuse Survivor Kit Bateman shares his story | WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore |
| May 23, 2023 | The intention is to provide a public accountability and a measure of healing to survivors who have long suffered in silence.” Illinois AG on new Catholic clergy abuse report. | AP News |
| May 22, 2023 | Catholic abuse survivors face long road, tough memories and constitutional challenges as they prepare to sue the Baltimore Archdiocese | WYPR News |
| May 23, 2023 | Catholic church in Illinois vastly underreported clergy sex abuse, Kwame Raoul finds | Chicago Sun Times |
| May 6, 2023 | Bishop, other high-ranking Baltimore Catholic officials identified as those who helped cover up sexual abuse | Baltimore Sun |
| May 1, 2023 | Billboards and banner ads: Lawyers seek Maryland child sex abuse survivors for forthcoming flood of suits | Baltimore Sun |
| April 9, 2023 | Silent no more, Maryland clergy abuse survivor Christopher ‘Kit’ Bateman agonized for decades before speaking out to hold abusers accountable | Survivors Stories |
| April 5, 2023 | Attorney General Report | Attorney General |
| April 5, 2023 | Following today’s release of report on decades-long Baltimore Archdiocese clergy abuse, childhood sexual abuse survivors-witnesses, advocates, and civil rights attorneys to hold press conference | Press Release |
| March 31, 2023 | After years of attempts, Maryland will expand ability to sue institutions for child sexual abuse | Baltimore Banner |
| March 30, 2023 | After years of attempts, Maryland will expand ability to sue institutions for child sexual abuse | Baltimore Sun |
| March 28, 2023 | Sexually abused as a child, the Reverend Debra Rhodes, an episcopalian, stands with survivors, has urgent message for Maryland lawmakers | Jenner Law Press Release |
| March 31, 2023 | Maryland report on Catholic Church expected to shine light on parishes and schools with multiple child abusers | Baltimore Sun |
| March 23, 2023 | These law firms are teaming up to represent abuse survivors ahead of archdiocese report’s release | Daily Record |
| March 22, 2023 | Amid historic legal and legislative developments, leading Baltimore law firms join forces in fight for justice on behalf of Maryland survivors of childhood sexual abuse | Jenner Law Press Release |
| March 17, 2023 | How institutions like the Catholic Church weaponize bankruptcy | The Baltimore Banner |
| March 16, 2023 | Senate passes bill opening ‘lookback window’ for childhood abuse lawsuits | The Daily Record |
| March 15, 2023 | One step closer to a new child victims act, advocate Gemma (The Keepers) Hoskins shares why she relentlessly fights for survivors | Jenner Law Press Release |
| March 14, 2023 | Memorandum and order for redactions | Circuit Court Baltimore City |
| March 10, 2023 | Awaiting crucial vote today, another childhood sexual abuse survivor shares her painful story, urges reform bill passage | Jenner Law Press Release |
| March 1, 2023 | Second episode of survivorsd stories starts today; follows court ruling on release of Maryland’s AG’s report on systemic clergy abuse | Jenner Law Press Release |
| February 24, 2023 | Memorandum and Order for Release of Investigation | Circuit Court for Baltimore City |
| February 24, 2023 | Press Statement – Order for Release of Investigation | Press Release |
| December 7, 2023 | Baltimore archdiocese survivors and advocates ask court to release sealed grand jury report on sexual-predator priests | Jenner Law Press Release |
| December 19, 2022 | Lawyers seek Catholic abuse survivors as Maryland lawmakers consider statute of limitations bill | Baltimore Sun |
| December 7, 2022 | Catholic priests sexual abuse case; Victim advocates join battle to make report public | WBAL |
| January 20, 2023 | Opinion: A Maryland Judge Perpetuates Secrecy on Clergy Sex Abuse | Washington Post |
| February 1, 2023 | New Online Grassroots Petition Urges Passage of “Long Overdue” Law To Ensure Justic for Maryland Sexual Abuse Survivors | Press Release |
Jenner Law Compassionately Seeks Justice for Survivors.
With an exclusive concentration in personal injury matters, Jenner Law is committed to helping people and families obtain the best possible resolution for their clergy abuse case. Jenner Law has both the legal expertise and passion to tackle any obstacles that likely will be encountered in the litigation process.
Who Will Speak for the Survivors?
The alleged abuse of hundreds of children is a wildly disturbing subject, but what is even more disturbing is the pattern of response indicated in the tens of thousands of pages that were recently released. It’s clear that Accused priests were simply moved or promoted.
Many priests were placed back into the ministry. Although Church officials pass the blame to their predecessors and deny any attempts to cover up abuse scandals, it appears that there were serious problems with how these cases were handled.
Attorneys Advocating For You
Contact Us for More Information on the Archdiocese of Baltimore Clergy Abuse Case
For more information, speak to one of our experienced, compassionate, and discreet lawyers today at 888-585-2188. You can also fill out the form on this page to schedule a confidential, free consultation to discuss your situation.
Jenner Law cares and we are here for you every step of the way.