Did You Suffer Clergy Sexual Abuse by Father John Lippold?

Father John Lippold is one of more than 150 clergy members recently listed in a report from the Maryland Attorney General’s office about clergy sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Father Lippold is credibly accused of abusing children as far back as the 1960s.

If you believe you may have a sexual abuse case based on your interactions with Father John Lippold or another clergy member, you can discuss your options today for free. Lawyers provide confidential consultations at no cost to the survivors or their families.

Who Was Father John Lippold?

Father Lippold served in several capacities in the greater Baltimore area and spent a year in Florida. His known assignments include:

Associate Pastor, St. Bernard’s Church, Baltimore, 1957-1962
Auxiliary Chaplain Ft. Detrick, MD, 1962
Associate Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Frederick, MD, 1962-1967
Associate Pastor, Ss. Philip & James Church, Baltimore, 1967-1973
Associate Pastor, Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Baltimore, 1973-1974
Pastor, All Saints Church, Baltimore, 1974-1976
Associate Pastor, St. Ann’s Church, Naples, FL, 1976-1977
Associate Pastor, St. Philip Neri Church, Linthicum Heights, MD, 1977-1978
Pastor, St. Mary Star of the Sea, Baltimore, 1978-1989
Temporary Administrator, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Baltimore, 1981
Pastor, Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Baltimore, 1989
Associate Pastor, St. Philip Neri Church, Linthicum, MD, 1989

The first known credible allegation against Father Lippold occurred in 2010 when a woman reported he sexually abused her in 1969 and 1969 at Saints Philip and James Church in Baltimore. She was 16 at the time of the abuse. This abuse occurred in several places, including his living quarters at the rectory, the front office at the church, and in his car.

In 2017, another woman came forward with credible allegations against Father Lippold. She claimed he abused her when she was 11 years old. At the time, she was a student at St. John the Evangelist in Frederick, MD.

Father Lippold’s record also shows a medical leave of absence in 1989 and a 2001 retirement. The Archdiocese listed him as credibly accused in 2011, and his faculties were then withdrawn. According to an obituary published in The Baltimore Sun, Father Lippold died on January 27, 2016.

What Are My Options If I Am a Survivor of Father John Lippold’s Abuse?

If you have questions about your status and legal options as a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, contact an attorney handling these cases. These law firms provide free consultations for survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Baltimore and nearby areas. You can speak to an attorney familiar with these cases for free.

All legal consultations are confidential, and you will speak with an understanding and compassionate team member who can assess your legal options. Regardless of what you were told in the past, a recent change in Maryland law could allow you to pursue justice in your case today.

Your attorney will know what it takes to document abuse and help you build a compelling case. This could include corroborating evidence of your interactions with Father Lippold and other clergy, your statements, and survivor videos when available.

How Can I Learn More About the Maryland AG’s Report on Clergy Sex Abuse?

You can read the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s report online. The office published this report in spring 2023, culminating a four-year investigation into clergy sexual abuse allegations within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It identifies more than 150 abusers by name and gives detailed reports of the allegations against them. This includes Father Lippold.

The Attorney General’s office based the report on interviews with more than 300 survivors who endured sexual abuse as children. It also reports that at least 300 more child victims exist, and many are likely unknown.

While there have been allegations of Baltimore clergy sexual abuse for decades, this report is one of the first to show how widespread the problem has been within the Archdiocese and how many individuals and families were affected.

Changes for Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors in The Child Victims Act of 2023

In April 2023, The Child Victims Act of 2023 became law in Maryland. This act made several important changes for survivors of child sexual abuse. This includes those abused by clergy or teachers within the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

The changes this law makes are significant and greatly increase options for survivors seeking justice. This includes:

Allowing survivors to hold parties that enable or encourage abuse accountable
Eliminating the statute of limitations on these cases, permitting all survivors to sue regardless of how much time has passed
Allowing retroactive lawsuits, meaning survivors can sue even if their statute of limitations to do so previously expired
Eliminating caps on economic damages from private institutions
Raising caps on non-economic damages from private organizations to $1.5 million
Raising non-economic caps on recovery from government entities to $890,000 per case

What Damages Can Survivors Recover in a Clergy Sexual Abuse Case?

When a survivor pursues a case against a private institution for the sexual abuse they endured as a child, they can recover compensation for various damages. This includes:

Unlimited compensation for documented medical bills, income losses, and other economic damages
Up to $1.5 million in compensation for emotional distress and other non-economic damages, known as “pain and suffering” from private institutions

An attorney will seek compensation for your past, present, and future damages. They will document these damages, negotiate for a settlement, or present your case at trial.

Discuss Your Options With a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer for Free Today

At Jenner Law, our Baltimore clergy sexual abuse team reviews cases, answers questions, and represents clients as we navigate the claims process for them. We provide free initial consultations for survivors. Signing up for legal representation costs nothing up front.