Some students at St. William of York Primary School might have experienced clergy sexual abuse at the hands of clergy members assigned to the church or school. There are allegations of abuse against some clergy who lived and worked at St. William of York between 1965 and 2019.
If you have questions about a possible sexual abuse case based on your interactions with a clergy member or teacher at St. William of York, our team of clergy abuse attorneys is here to help. We will assess your case for free and offer advice.
Alleged Abuse Occurred at St. William of York in Baltimore
According to the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s list of accused clergy, three priests credibly accused of clergy sexual abuse of minors served or lived at St. William of York and may have had access to students on the campus there. This includes:
Father Albert Julian, Assistant Pastor, 1964 to 1967
The Archdiocese has not listed Father Albert Julian as credibly accused, but the allegations against him from the Maryland Attorney General’s report include:
- A contemporaneous allegation of abuse of a young female victim in the 1960s.
- A 1968 admission of guilt.
- In 2002, a report of abuse that occurred in the 1960s when the victim was in the eighth or ninth grade and continued several times a week through high school.
Father Joseph Messer, Associate Pastor, 1982 to 1986
While the Maryland Attorney General’s Office report says the Archdiocese has not reported Messer as credibly accused, the AG provides information on the allegations against him. This includes:
- A male teenage victim reported being abused in Messer’s office in the rectory at St. John.
Father Joseph O’Meara, in residence, 2009 to 2019
The Archdiocese of Baltimore list reports allegations of abuse against him that include:
- Inappropriately touching several adults in 2019
- Inappropriate touching of a minor in the 1980s through early 1990s
- Boundary violations with another minor during this same period
If you experienced inappropriate interactions with these clergy members or others while attending St. William of York Primary School, attending services at this church, or otherwise being involved in activities there, you have rights and can sue for damages regarding childhood sexual abuse.
Recent changes in the law could allow you to take legal action even if you previously ran out of time to do so. Let our Baltimore sexual abuse clergy attorneys review your case for free today.
Jenner Law Represents Survivors of Baltimore Clergy Sexual Abuse
Our clergy sexual abuse lawyers represent adults pursuing legal action against the Archdiocese of Baltimore and other institutions for the abuse they endured as children. We provide confidential, free consultations for those who have questions or want to learn about their rights and explore their legal options.
Because of recent changes in Maryland law, survivors who were previously told they could not sue may have a renewed opportunity. Coming forward could allow them to hold the Church accountable, recover compensation, and prevent similar abuse from harming children today.
Our personal injury lawyers handle these cases compassionately. We understand that deciding to come forward and act is difficult. Many survivors are speaking out for the first time. Not only are we here to support them, but we also represent our clients with no upfront fees. We work on a contingency basis only.
Recent Changes in Maryland Child Sexual Abuse Laws Offer New Options
In early 2023, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office published a scathing report that outlined the office’s four-year investigation into Baltimore clergy abuse. It identifies more than 150 clergy members and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore as abusers, with over 600 victims between them.
In light of the Baltimore clergy abuse allegations highlighted in this report and other recent revelations, lawmakers passed The Child Victims Act of 2023. This law allows adults who are survivors of childhood clergy sexual abuse to file civil claims and hold the institutions that allowed the abuse to occur accountable.
The passage of The Child Victims Act of 2023 changes laws for clergy abuse survivors in several ways. It allows many to revive their civil cases against individuals, institutions, and the Archdiocese, even if they previously ran out of time. The law:
- Allows survivors to sue those who perpetrate the abuse and the institutions that failed to prevent it
- Eliminated the statute of limitations for these civil cases
- Permits retroactive lawsuits
- Raises caps on the recoverable damages in these cases
What Damages Are Available in a Baltimore Clergy Sexual Abuse Case?
When a survivor of Baltimore clergy abuse pursues legal action, they can get justice by holding the Archdiocese or another institution legally accountable and recovering compensation. This compensation could include the following:
- Past and present medical bills for physical and mental health care related to the abuse
- Past and present income losses and diminished ability to work and earn due to the abuse
- Past and present pain and suffering, including emotional distress
Since the passage of The Child Victims Act of 2023, the recoverable damages in these civil suits have increased. When the claim is against a government agency, the cap is $890,000 per claim. In a case against a private institution, such as the Baltimore clergy sexual abuse cases:
- There is no cap on documented economic damages, such as medical bills and lost income.
- There is a $1.5 million cap per case for emotional distress and other non-economic damages in legal actions.
Discuss Your Baltimore Clergy Abuse Case With Our Team for Free
If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse at St. William of York Primary School, you can speak to an attorney for free today. Our team provides confidential, no-obligation consultations for adult survivors of childhood abuse.
Jenner Law’s attorneys are accepting Maryland clergy abuse cases now. Contact us online or on the phone to learn more.