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In the state of Maryland, there are 100 total priests accused of sexual abuse, assault, and misconduct (all of which are from The Archdiocese of Baltimore). Priests with notable cases against them include William “Father Bill” Mannion Jr., Jorge Antonio Velez-Lopez, Father A. Joseph Maskell, Mark Haight, and Fernando Cristancho.
Survivors of priest sexual abuse in Maryland are filing civil lawsuits against abusive clergy members and their religious organizations (such as the Archdiocese of Baltimore) that enabled or failed to prevent the abuse. These legal actions aim to hold both individuals and organizations accountable, and also allow survivors to pursue financial compensation. Get help from our attorneys to better understand your legal options – completely free and 100% confidential. Take the first step by calling (800) 509-9747 or get free case evaluation online from our legal team
Together, We Can Hold Abusers Accountable…
Below is a list of priests accused of sexual abuse in Maryland, which also includes other diocesan clergy members facing legal allegations. The lists below do not include allegations made against administrative staff or volunteers, although you may still be able to file a sex abuse claim against those individuals with help from our attorneys.
Accused Priests From The Diocese of Baltimore, VT (100)
- Baffa, Robert J.
- Beauregard, James E.
- Bessette, Conrad
- Bresnehan, Paul M.
- Bruneau, Donald A.
- Campbell, James J.
- Claire, (unknown)
- Devoy, Robert E.
- Doe, Jane
- Dunn, James
- Dussault, Joseph H.
- Eastman, John F.
- Foley, James F.
- Foster, Edward C.
- Gallagher, William P.
- Gelineau, Edward J.
- Gelineau (BP), Louis E.
- Guichard, John A.
- Kenney, John B. (Jack)
- Madden, Michael K.
- McShane, James J.
- Mead, Brian E.
- Milanese, John
- Miller, Walter D.
- Mooney, Joseph Maxime
- Murtagh, George O.
- Nichols, Stephen J.
- Paquette, Jr., Edward O.
- Paulin, George A.
- Provost, Raymond C.
- Roberts, Daniel F.
- Roberts, Daniel F.
- Ronald A., Soutiere
- Rouelle, Forrest W.
- Savary, Emile W.
- Soutiere, Ronald A.
- Stankiewicz, John A.
- Thompson, Richard E.
- Towne, Charles A.
- Walsh, Raymond D.
- Ward, Donal D.
- Willis, Alfred
- Wysolmerski, Benjamin D.
Notable Maryland Clergy Abuse Settlements
Archdiocese of Baltimore – $13.2 Million (through 2023)
The Baltimore Archdiocese has disclosed it paid over $13.2 million in care and compensation to 301 survivors of clergy sexual abuse from the 1980s through. This total includes about $6.8 million in 105 voluntary settlement payments to individual survivors. These settlements spanned decades of cases involving dozens of clergy and church workers. The Archdiocese says it has no statute of limitations defense for survivors and remains committed to further compensation through its ongoing Chapter 11 process.
Diocese of Wilmington – $77 Million (2011)
In 2011 the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington reached a $77 million settlement resolving about 142 claims of sexual abuse by priests. The deal followed the 2009 bankruptcy of the diocese under mounting abuse litigation. It covered alleged incidents going back to the 1950s and released the diocese (and its parishes) from further lawsuits in exchange for a lump-sum payout to survivors.
Ongoing Maryland Clergy Abuse Lawsuits & Investigations
William Mannion Jr. – Former Baltimore Priest (2025)
William “Father Bill” Mannion Jr. (age 62) was indicted in April 2025 on 15 felony counts (including second-degree sex offense and child abuse) for allegedly molesting a boy in the early 1990s at St. Agnes Catholic School in Baltimore. Mannion, a former priest of the Baltimore Archdiocese who left the ministry in the late 1990s, is accused of repeatedly abusing a student during 1991–1995. The Archdiocese of Baltimore has stated it is fully cooperating with law enforcement. Mannion has been held without bond since his arrest; the case is ongoing.
Baltimore Archdiocese – Charitable Immunity Lawsuit (2025)
In April 2025, a group of abuse survivors sued the Archdiocese of Baltimore, challenging its use of Maryland’s charitable-immunity doctrine in the wake of the new Child Victims Act. According to the lawsuit, a 2023 state investigation found 600+ children abused by at least 165 clergy and school staff. Once the Child Victims Act took effect in late 2023, more than 1,000 claims were filed; each claim allows up to $890,000 compensation for survivors. The suit alleges that the Archdiocese, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy days before the new law, is now invoking charitable immunity to avoid paying individual survivors. Plaintiffs are asking a judge to rule that the church cannot use this old doctrine to shield itself from liability while the bankruptcy case is active. The outcome will determine whether victims can proceed with claims or must wait for a church-wide bankruptcy settlement.
Greater Grace World Outreach (Baltimore) – Megachurch Abuse Lawsuit (2025)
Greater Grace World Outreach in Baltimore, Maryland, is the defendant in a recent lawsuit filed by former member John Patrick Richard Capello. Capello’s April 2025 complaint alleges that as a teenager in the mid‑1990s he was repeatedly assaulted by the teenage daughter of John Love, who was then Greater Grace’s youth pastor. According to the suit, church leaders knew of the abuse – which took place on church property – but actively covered it up and blamed Capello for the incidents. The suit describes a “hierarchical” environment that silenced victims, and it seeks damages under Maryland’s Child Victims Act. It is currently pending in Baltimore City Circuit Court, marking the first legal action against Greater Grace’s leadership since the church’s abuses were publicly exposed last year.
Fr. Robert P. Buchmeier – Suspended (2022)
In September 2022 parishioners of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Garrett Park, MD learned that their pastor, Father Robert Buchmeier, had been placed on administrative leave amid abuse allegations. The Archdiocese of Washington (which oversees Holy Cross) announced that Buchmeier was accused of sexually abusing minors before he became a priest, during his earlier service in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. The announcement noted that Buchmeier has not been charged with any crimes, but was removed from his duties as the claims are investigated. (He is no longer living at the church rectory.) The case remains an active investigation, and church officials have urged any other potential victims to come forward.
Kevin Blair Guy – Youth Group Leader (2025)
Kevin Blair Guy (age 32) was indicted in April 2025 on 73 charges (including 29 counts of sexual abuse of a minor) for alleged assaults on teenage boys from 2018 through June 2024. Guy is a former leader in a Christian youth outreach program (Youth for Christ’s Campus Life) that held meetings in Catonsville. Court documents outline that five boys (now aged 15–19) reported Guy had molested them during trips and group activities held at the Bishop Cummins Reformed Episcopal Church. He has been held without bond since his arrest. This case is pending in Baltimore County criminal court.
Deadline to File a Maryland Priest/Clergy Abuse Claim
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Maryland now have expanded legal rights to pursue justice, thanks to changes in state law. As of October 1, 2023, there is no longer a civil statute of limitations for filing lawsuits related to child sexual abuse. This means survivors (regardless of their current age) can file a claim against individual abusers and the institutions that enabled or concealed the abuse.
This change was made possible by Maryland’s Child Victims Act, which removed time restrictions for survivors to seek civil compensation. While criminal charges may still have limitations depending on the case, civil lawsuits are no longer time-barred, even if the abuse occurred decades ago.
However, if the accused institution has filed for bankruptcy (such as the Archdiocese of Baltimore), claims may be subject to separate deadlines set by the bankruptcy court. It’s important for survivors to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure their rights are protected and claims are filed on time in the proper forum.
Talk in Confidence. We’ll listen…
Get Help From The Maryland Sex Abuse Lawyers at Kayla’s Survivors
If you or someone you care about has experienced sexual abuse by a priest or other church member in Maryland, you are not alone and legal help is available. The process of coming forward can feel daunting, but working with an experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, hold both abusers and institutions accountable, and pursue justice on your terms. Taking that first step can be a powerful move toward healing and reclaiming your voice. Take the next step by calling (800) 509-9747 or tell us about your case online. Our legal team is here to listen and provide support.
The sexual abuse attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors have helped recover over $1 billion for our clients, including clergy abuse claims settled in Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Waldorf, and surrounding areas in Maryland.
