Jenner Law Firm will seek justice if you or someone you love suffered sexual abuse by a clergy member or another Cardinal Gibbons High School (CGHS) employee in Baltimore.
Our clergy sexual abuse lawyers understand the sensitive nature of these cases and will provide you with support and legal representation to fight for justice. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation and discuss your options for holding abusers accountable for their crimes.
Credibly Accused Clergy Members at the Cardinal Gibbons High School
The Archdiocese of Baltimore lists several clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse who, at one time, served at Cardinal Gibbons High School, including the following:
- Bechtel, W. Vincent: Between 1969 and 1973, Father Bechtel (deceased in 1994) served at CGHS. In 2018, the Diocese of Harrisburg notified the Archdiocese there that he had a sexual abuse claim against him while serving at Mount St. Joseph High School. Since then, there have been further allegations at the same school.
- Doyle, Thomas Joseph (Marianist): Between 1967 and 1973, Father Doyle (deceased in 2007) served at CGHS. In 2020, the Marianist Province of the United States reported that he had been found to have sexually abused a minor.
- Farabaugh, Kenneth: Father Farabaugh (deceased in 2000) served at CGHS between 1969 to 1980. He allegedly committed sexual abuse against an individual who provided detailed allegations of the incident. This information was reported to civil authorities investigating Farabaugh (who denied the accusation) before his death.
- Lentz, Robert: Between 1973 and 1974, Father Lentz (deceased in 2007) served at CGHS. In 2002, the Archdiocese learned of allegations of sexual abuse of minors against Lentz, who denied them. The alleged abuse by Father Lentz reportedly occurred in the mid-to late-1960s, during which time he served at St. Mark (Catonsville). Lentz was subsequently removed from the ministry.
- Lindemann, Robert Aloysius (Marianist): Brother Lindemann (deceased in 1995) served at CGHS from 1974 to 1975. In 2020, the Marianist Province of the United States reported that he had been found to have sexually abused a minor.
- Sheehan, John Joseph (Marianist): Between 1968 and 1974, Father Sheehan served at CGHS. In 2020, the Marianist Province of the United States reported that he had been found to have sexually abused a minor.
Although this list does not explicitly state these credibly accused individuals committed sexual abuse at Cardinal Gibbons High School, there may be survivors with allegations of abuse who have not yet come forward. At Jenner Law, we understand that it’s important for any individuals who suffered sexual abuse at CGHS to feel safe and supported if they choose to report their experiences and throughout the process of seeking compensation.
Maryland Amends Laws Concerning Child Sex Abuse Cases
The Child Victims Act of 2023 modifies the definition of “sexual abuse” for civil actions related to child sexual abuse to include “any act that involves an adult allowing or encouraging a child to engage in certain activities or any other sexual conduct that is a crime.”
The Act also repeals the statute of limitations and a statute of repose, now allowing for the retroactive application of “certain civil actions relating to child sexual abuse.” Survivors who did not have enough time before to pursue damages under an expired deadline can now do so.
Under the new law, survivors can recover more damages. The cap for damages in cases involving government agencies is $890,000 per claim. In cases involving private institutions, there is no cap for economic damages, such as medical bills and lost income. Non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, are capped at $1.5 million.
What Damages Can Baltimore Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse Recover?
If you experienced inappropriate behavior with clergy members or others while attending Cardinal Gibbons High School, you can sue for damages for sexual abuse under The Child Victims Act of 2023. Sexual abuse can cause severe psychological effects and trauma. These effects can include but are not limited to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use
The court could order the credibly accused clergy members and the religious institution that enabled them to pay you compensation for these and other losses.
Damages survivors may be able to pursue for their losses include:
- Medical bills (past and present)
- Income loss (past and present)
- Therapy and psychological care expenses
- Emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
Our personal injury attorneys who lead clergy sexual abuse cases can further explain your rights and options. We will review and document your damages and determine who is liable for the abuse. We will demand your just compensation and lead settlement negotiations on your behalf. If we cannot reach a settlement in your case, we will take your case to trial.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore Maintains List of Individuals Linked to Sexual Abuse Allegations
In September 2002, the Archdiocese of Baltimore first published a list of priests and religious brothers who it says had been linked to allegations of child sexual abuse in their lifetime, as WBALTV reports. Over time, the Archdiocese added more individuals to the list as it learned of additional allegations of abuse.
At the time of this writing, the revised list includes 156 individuals credibly accused of sexual abuse. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office investigated the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which found “decades of child sexual abuse and leadership’s efforts to cover it up.”
What Is Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Maryland?
Various Maryland Criminal laws define what the state considers to be sexual abuse offenses. Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 3-602 defines “sexual abuse” as “an act that involves sexual molestation or exploitation of a minor (under 18 years of age), whether physical injuries are sustained or not.”
This includes rape, incest, sexual offenses of any degree, and “unnatural or perverted sexual practices.” Furthermore, Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 3-324 prohibits sexual solicitation of a minor, and Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 11-207 bans child pornography.
You are strongly encouraged to seek guidance from a clergy sexual abuse lawyer to help you better understand the specific laws surrounding Maryland’s child abuse offenses.
Call Jenner Law Today About a Clergy Sexual Abuse Case
Please contact Jenner Law today if you are a survivor of child sexual abuse suffered at the Cardinal Gibbons High School. Our Baltimore clergy sexual abuse lawyer can safeguard your rights and hold credibly accused individuals in Maryland responsible for their actions. We are acutely aware of the long-lasting effects that sexual abuse can have on survivors and their families and believe you deserve financial recovery.
You should receive the highest respect and support as we help you secure monetary awards for you. We will protect your rights and interests and guide you every step of the way in holding liable parties accountable. Contact us today for a private and confidential consultation and take the first step in seeking justice for you or a loved one who suffered at the hands of people you trusted.