Survivors of sexual abuse by Father Anthony Joseph Maskell have filed lawsuits seeking to hold the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the School Sisters of Notre Dame accountable for the harm they suffered. Numerous survivors have credibly accused Maskell of rape, sexual assault, threats, and other acts of abuse while he served as a priest, counselor, and chaplain in the Baltimore area.
Maskell and the allegations against him were prominently featured in the 2017 Netflix documentary series The Keepers. The series examines the unsolved 1969 murder of Sister Catherine “Cathy” Cesnik, a beloved teacher at Archbishop Keough High School, and explores allegations that Maskell sexually abused students at the school. It also gives survivors a public voice as they describe Maskell’s abuse and the lasting harm it caused.
Credible Accusations Against Joseph Maskell
Joseph Maskell was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1965 and served in Maryland for nearly three decades. During that time, he held positions at parishes and Catholic schools throughout the Baltimore area, often working directly with children and young women. Most significantly, Maskell served as a chaplain and counselor at Archbishop Keough High School, where he had private access to students seeking spiritual guidance and mental health counseling.
Survivors later described how Maskell used that position of trust and authority to identify, isolate, threaten, and sexually abuse vulnerable students. Their accounts—and the institutional response to their allegations—became a central focus of the Netflix docuseries The Keepers. The allegations against Maskell describe some of the most brutal and disturbing clergy abuse documented in Baltimore. Survivors gave the Maryland Attorney General detailed, credible accounts of rape, sexual assault, drugging, psychological manipulation, and threats of violence during the 1960s and 1970s. Several survivors alleged that Maskell did not always act alone and described abuse involving Father Edward Neil Magnus, another priest and counselor at Archbishop Keough High School. Even within the horrifying history of clergy sexual abuse, the allegations against Maskell and Magnus stand apart for their cruelty and calculated use of fear, authority, and control. In a history filled with nightmares, these two men were among the worst.
In addition to working with several schools, Maskell’s known assignments include:
- Assistant, Sacred Heart of Mary, Baltimore, 1965-1966
- Assistant, St. Clement, Lansdowne, MD, 1966-1968
- Associate Pastor, Our Lady of Victory, Baltimore, 1968-1970
- Part-time Chaplain, Archbishop Keough High School, Baltimore, 1969-1970
- Counselor, Archbishop Keough High School, Baltimore, 1970-1975
- Assistant, St. Clement, Lansdowne, MD, 1970-1975
- Psychological Services, Archdiocese Division of Catholic Schools Assistant, St. Clement, Lansdowne, MD, 1975-1980
- Associate Pastor, Annunciation, Baltimore, MD, 1980-1982
- Pastor, Holy Cross, Baltimore, MD, 1982-1992
- Administrator, St. Augustine, Elkridge, MD, 1993-1994
There were concerns about Maskell’s behavior as early as 1966 when questions were raised about his behavior around children. In all, there are at least 39 credible accusations made against him. We suspect there are dozens more.
According to reports from WBAL-TV, the Archdiocese of Baltimore removed the priest from his role in 1994 but continued to provide financial support. He suffered a stroke and died in 2001 at age 62.
What Should I Do If I Am a Survivor of Sexual Abuse by Joseph Maskell?
If Joseph Maskell abused you, you do not have to decide immediately whether to pursue a claim. Speaking with an experienced clergy sexual abuse attorney can help you understand your rights, the legal process, and the options available to you. At Jenner Law, these consultations are free, confidential, and do not obligate you to move forward.
A survivor may remember important details but have little documentary evidence of abuse that occurred decades ago. That does not mean the case cannot be supported. Maskell is one of more than 150 clergy members identified in the Maryland Attorney General’s investigation, and extensive information exists concerning his assignments, the allegations against him, and the response of Church officials. An attorney can investigate personnel and assignment records, prior complaints, witness accounts, school records, and other evidence that may corroborate a survivor’s account.
Jenner Law represents survivors in claims involving Maskell, the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and other potentially responsible institutions. We listen first, explain the process in plain English, and allow each survivor to decide whether and when moving forward is right for them.
Recent Changes in Maryland Law Make It Possible to Pursue Damages
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office spent four years gathering evidence that uncovered sexual abuse accusations against 156 clergy members within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The allegations come from more than 600 child victims, although there are likely many more that investigators did not interview while building their report.
This report includes detailed information about Maskell, the allegations against him, and the Archdiocese’s response.
The report stems from interviews with more than 300 victims, dozens of witnesses, and others. Unfortunately, the allegations of Baltimore clergy abuse were credible and widespread. They came from men and women; for some, the abuse was relatively recent, while others suffered abuse decades ago. Many survivors had never shared their stories before these interviews.
This report played a role in April 2023 legislation passed in Maryland, The Child Victims Act of 2023. This law allows survivors to seek justice years later, even if their statute of limitations has expired. This law:
- Defines child sexual abuse in civil cases to include not only the perpetrator but also those who allow or ignore it
- Eliminates the statute of limitations on civil clergy sexual abuse cases
- Permits retroactive sexual abuse lawsuits for those whose filing window previously expired
- Raises the cap on recoverable damages, including eliminating all limits on economic damages
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Clergy Sexual Abuse Case?
For many survivors, recovering compensation is not the goal of pursuing a case against the Catholic Church or Archdiocese of Baltimore. Instead, they want justice and to hold the negligent parties liable and ensure this does not happen to other children. However, a lawsuit, settlement, judgment, or verdict also gets you the compensation you need for the expenses and losses incurred because of the abuse.
The value of a payout could vary greatly depending on the case facts and evidence. However, the types of damages generally include:
- Past and current medical expenses, such as therapy and mental health care
- Past and present income losses and diminished ability to earn
- Past and present pain and suffering
Discuss Your Case With One of Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers for Free
At Jenner Law, our attorneys are seeking Maryland clergy abuse cases, fighting for justice for survivors. We represent a wide range of clients, including those who endured abuse from Maskell. There are several credible accusations against him, many of which emerged before his death in 2001.
Contact us now for your free, confidential case assessment. Our attorneys provide a no-obligation consultation for survivors who want to know more about their rights and options based on the trauma and abuse they endured.