Attorney General's report shows widespread sexual abuse by Archdiocese of Baltimore 

A recently released report by Maryland’s Attorney General found that more than 150 priests associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore have committed sexual abuse on more than 600 children. 

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General began its investigation into the Archdiocese in 2018 in order to uncover instances of abuse and corruption within the church. As part of the investigation, the report examined thousands of documents dated back more than 80 years associated with the Archdiocese 

“The sheer number of abusers and victims, the depravity of the abusers’ conduct, and the frequency with which known abusers were given the opportunity to continue preying upon children are astonishing,” read the report, which was released during Holy Week.

The 463-page report details hundreds of abuse instances and the effect it had on the victims, including depression, substance abuse, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. 

“While every victim’s story is unique, together they reveal themes and behaviors typical of adults who sexually abuse children, and of those who enable abuse by concealing it,” says the report. “What was consistent throughout was the absolute authority and power these abusive priests and church leadership held over victims, their families, and their communities.”

Additionally, the report claims that the leaders of the Archdiocese dismissed the reports of abuse and showed “little to no concern for victims” by not “adequately investigating complaints.”

In other cases, the allegations were covered up in order to hide the abuses. For example, one priest was allowed to fake a hepatitis treatment in order to avoid facing the allegations. 

The Attorney General’s office said that the number of victims is likely much higher than the one accounted for in the report. It also said that the report was redacted in a way to protect the identities of the victims and accused clergy. 

Baltimore Archbishop William Lori apologized to the victims of the abuses in a statement, adding that the report “details a reprehensible time in the history of this Archdiocese, a time that will not be covered up, ignored or forgotten.”

“It is difficult for most to imagine that such evil acts could have actually occurred,” Lori said. “For victim-survivors everywhere, they know the hard truth: These evil acts did occur.”

The Maryland Archdiocese is one of the oldest Roman Catholic dioceses in the United States.